as in withdrawn
not comfortable around people
one retiring young girl was sitting alone quietly in a corner during the party
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in settling
to go to one's bed in order to sleep
I'm exhausted, so I think I'll retire for the evening
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sacking
to let go from office, service, or employment
as a part of its restructuring, the company has begun to retire its older employees
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in withdrawing
to move back or away (as from something difficult, dangerous, or disagreeable)
the insurgents have retired to the outskirts of the city, but appear to be readying themselves for another offensive
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of retiring
Daily News Staff, New York Daily News, 26 May 2025
After running more than 400 games, the researchers concluded that a fully passive style of scavenging – snatching some carrion when no one is looking – was too retiring and less than ideal.
—Matt Hrodey, Discover Magazine, 4 Oct. 2023
Austen’s most retiring and internal heroine, spends much of the movie chatting to the camera, even giving sarcastic glances and eye rolls in the middle of the action.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 15 July 2022
So a more retiring co-parent certainly can be, say, the homework explainer and behind-the-scenes calendar keeper while the more outgoing parent takes meetings and makes phone calls – absolutely.
—Carolyn Hax, Detroit Free Press, 15 May 2018
In part, that's because Hemsley is probably the most retiring, publicity-adverse CEO heading an iconic company.
—Shawn Tully, Fortune, 18 Aug. 2017
Sally Susman, Time, 5 Nov. 2025
Sonya Evans stays in District 4 Sonya Evans, a former Blue Valley School District parent, made the jump to district leadership in 2023 when she was tapped to replace a retiring Kaety Bowers.
—Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 5 Nov. 2025
Senator Mitch McConnell, a Republican, is retiring, so there will be an open race to replace him next year as well.
—Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
The traditional goal of retiring between the ages of 65 and 70 is considered unattainable by two-thirds of Americans today, and many expect to work as long as their bodies will allow it, according to a recent TIAA survey.
—Harriet Taylor, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2025
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and husband of Queen Elizabeth II, later moved to the residence after retiring from royal duties.
—Edward Segarra, USA Today, 3 Nov. 2025
She was appointed chief of the Raleigh Police Department in August 2021, retiring in 2025.
—Amber Gaudet, Charlotte Observer, 3 Nov. 2025
Both actors were the sons of souses (Dick Hopkins, on retiring from the baking trade, opened a pub), and the stuff was in their bloodstream.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025
Mullins will replace longtime Deputy City Manager Sheila Luckett, who is retiring after more than 36 years with the city.
—Andy Humbles, Nashville Tennessean, 30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Rangel, a mustachioed, natty dresser rarely seen with a hair out of place, hardly had a reputation for a shy and retiring personality.
—Daily News Staff, New York Daily News, 26 May 2025
After running more than 400 games, the researchers concluded that a fully passive style of scavenging – snatching some carrion when no one is looking – was too retiring and less than ideal.
—Matt Hrodey, Discover Magazine, 4 Oct. 2023
Austen’s most retiring and internal heroine, spends much of the movie chatting to the camera, even giving sarcastic glances and eye rolls in the middle of the action.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 15 July 2022
So a more retiring co-parent certainly can be, say, the homework explainer and behind-the-scenes calendar keeper while the more outgoing parent takes meetings and makes phone calls – absolutely.
—Carolyn Hax, Detroit Free Press, 15 May 2018
In part, that's because Hemsley is probably the most retiring, publicity-adverse CEO heading an iconic company.
—Shawn Tully, Fortune, 18 Aug. 2017
Verb
Leaders like former American Express CEO Ken Chenault and retiring Partnership for New York City CEO, Kathryn Wylde come to mind.
—Sally Susman, Time, 5 Nov. 2025
Sonya Evans stays in District 4 Sonya Evans, a former Blue Valley School District parent, made the jump to district leadership in 2023 when she was tapped to replace a retiring Kaety Bowers.
—Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 5 Nov. 2025
Senator Mitch McConnell, a Republican, is retiring, so there will be an open race to replace him next year as well.
—Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
The traditional goal of retiring between the ages of 65 and 70 is considered unattainable by two-thirds of Americans today, and many expect to work as long as their bodies will allow it, according to a recent TIAA survey.
—Harriet Taylor, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2025
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and husband of Queen Elizabeth II, later moved to the residence after retiring from royal duties.
—Edward Segarra, USA Today, 3 Nov. 2025
She was appointed chief of the Raleigh Police Department in August 2021, retiring in 2025.
—Amber Gaudet, Charlotte Observer, 3 Nov. 2025
Both actors were the sons of souses (Dick Hopkins, on retiring from the baking trade, opened a pub), and the stuff was in their bloodstream.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025
Mullins will replace longtime Deputy City Manager Sheila Luckett, who is retiring after more than 36 years with the city.
—Andy Humbles, Nashville Tennessean, 30 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retiring
Adjective
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Set in Taiwan in 1988, Girl revolves around Hsiao-lee, a quiet and withdrawn girl, growing up in silent gloom.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
5 Aug. 2025
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Unfortunately, further discussions were heated, with no resolve, just more withdrawn behavior while the communications continued.—
Jeanne Phillips,
Mercury News,
30 July 2025
Verb
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At the same time, the auto club warned that with autumn settling in, drivers should be extra alert for traffic hazards that include shorter days with diminished daylight, slick roads with rain, morning fog that limits visibility and deer, which may run across roadways.—
Frank Witsil,
Freep.com,
3 Nov. 2025
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In 1970, Godchaux left the South and traveled out west, settling in San Francisco.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Losing to Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup led Amorim to discuss his long-term future at United, but senior executives have little appetite for sacking yet another head coach.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
19 Oct. 2025
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The defensive line took advantage of a weak Auburn O-line, sacking Arnold five times.—
Maddie Hartley,
Kansas City Star,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Ciattarelli called it an affordability crisis and has called for withdrawing from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, an agreement among Northeast states to cap their emissions.—
Ryan Mancini,
The Hill,
4 Nov. 2025
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Elsewhere in the league, Virginia Tech’s Neoklis Avdalas declared for the draft last year out of Greece before withdrawing.—
Sam Vecenie,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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The 52 catches are the most ever by a UM true freshman — surpassing Ahmmon Richards’ mark of 49 set in the 2016 season — and are seven shy of tying Eddie Brown’s mark of 59 in the 1984 season for 10th all-time in Hurricanes history.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
2 Nov. 2025
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The coaching staff needs to view playing these young forwards as an investment, especially considering some of the shy offence being delivered by veterans like Trent Frederic.—
Allan Mitchell,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The campaign reprises and expands the concept of the collection’s look book images unveiled earlier this year, which saw Michele’s tribe pictured on a bed, mainly sleeping but also occasionally playing the guitar, doing a crossword puzzle, taking selfies or having a snack.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
6 Nov. 2025
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Despite vacationing on a luxury yacht, Bronwyn spent the night sleeping on a pool chair on the deck rather than spending the night having to share a bed with Britani.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Venezuelans got accustomed to dismissing it all as noise, just a pretext the dictatorship employed to stamp out civil rights.—
Quico Toro,
The Atlantic,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Despite mounting criticism and public skepticism, Cheney remained a vocal defender of the war, dismissing opposition as politically motivated.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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With nothing but West Ham’s rapidly retreating defence in front of him, and an instant four-on-four, Guimaraes drove forward before picking out Murphy to his right, in a position to isolate left-back El Hadji Malick Diouf with a one-vs-one.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
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After retreating behind the walls of Culloden Parks, the remaining fighters soon surrendered.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Retiring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retiring. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.
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