as in withdrawn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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Sam Schulz, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Oct. 2025
The boss is retiring at the end of the school year.
—Chris Vannini, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025
Millward, 60, had spent nearly three decades working with CHP before retiring.
—Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 9 Oct. 2025
My life is about service, first in the Marines, then as a community volunteer since retiring in 2016.
—Miami Herald Staff, Miami Herald, 8 Oct. 2025
Simmons is set to reunite with his Kiss bandmates in Las Vegas in November, where the group will play their first show since retiring from touring in 2023.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Oct. 2025
Later in life, after retiring back to Arkansas, Fleda's sugar cookies took on a special meaning.
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 8 Oct. 2025
Country icon Alan Jackson is set to play his final show at Nashville's Nissan Stadium alongside an all-star lineup of musical friends before officially retiring from touring.
—Melonee Hurt, Nashville Tennessean, 8 Oct. 2025
Ballmer also purchased the Los Angeles Clippers for $2 billion upon retiring from Microsoft—a record price at the time.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 2 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
The superintendent of Julian Union Elementary School District is retiring at the end of the school year after more than a decade leading the tiny rural district in San Diego County’s mountainous east.
—Sam Schulz, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Oct. 2025
The boss is retiring at the end of the school year.
—Chris Vannini, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025
Millward, 60, had spent nearly three decades working with CHP before retiring.
—Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 9 Oct. 2025
My life is about service, first in the Marines, then as a community volunteer since retiring in 2016.
—Miami Herald Staff, Miami Herald, 8 Oct. 2025
Simmons is set to reunite with his Kiss bandmates in Las Vegas in November, where the group will play their first show since retiring from touring in 2023.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Oct. 2025
Later in life, after retiring back to Arkansas, Fleda's sugar cookies took on a special meaning.
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 8 Oct. 2025
Country icon Alan Jackson is set to play his final show at Nashville's Nissan Stadium alongside an all-star lineup of musical friends before officially retiring from touring.
—Melonee Hurt, Nashville Tennessean, 8 Oct. 2025
Ballmer also purchased the Los Angeles Clippers for $2 billion upon retiring from Microsoft—a record price at the time.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 2 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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In Cheese Curd's case, further videos show the former stray settling on his rescuer's lap, eating treats, and cuddling up with new toys and pillows bought especially for him.—
Rachael O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
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Lanvin Group remains in the midst of a significant transition with Peter Copping putting his mark on Lanvin and Paul Andrew settling in at Sergio Rossi.—
Evan Clark,
Footwear News,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Latu said he’s already envisioned sacking Arizona’s Kyler Murray (or backup Jacoby Brissett if Murray’s foot injury keeps him sidelined).—
James Boyd,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
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But Williams sealed the Pats’ only win of the season thus far, sacking Tua Tagovailoa on the Dolphins’ final offensive snap with less than two minutes left in Week 2.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Although exact details have yet to be released, people familiar with the matter told the Associated Press that Hamas is expected to release all 20 surviving hostages this weekend, while Israeli forces begin withdrawing from most of Gaza.—
Callum Sutherland,
Time,
9 Oct. 2025
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That bill was the backdrop for Skrmetti withdrawing the 2021 opinion.—
Vivian Jones,
Nashville Tennessean,
9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The move would raise total duties on imports from China to around 130% – effectively a trade embargo and just shy of the 145% peak reached at the height of the trade war this spring.—
John Liu,
CNN Money,
13 Oct. 2025
-
The 3-3 Cougs fell a few seconds shy of being able to attempt a long field goal at the whistle.—
Alex Kirshner,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The two had been evicted from their home and were sleeping some nights in a hospital lobby before turning to Room in the Inn, the teen girl said.—
Taylor Batten,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Oct. 2025
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The day before Halloween in 2023, the sleeping girl woke in her home to the sound of Valenzuela yelling at her mother, according to prosecutors and court records.—
Daniella Segura,
Sacbee.com,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
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His defensiveness and insulting you and dismissing your feelings, in my opinion means he's emotionally attached to her, especially with the nickname.—
Meredith Wilshere,
PEOPLE,
4 Oct. 2025
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Subramanian rejected a request Tuesday by Combs’ attorneys for his conviction to be overturned entirely, dismissing claims that Combs had acted as an amateur pornographer who wasn’t engaging in prostitution and that the verdict violated his First Amendment rights.—
Joshua Rhett Miller,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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As the Arctic has warmed four times faster than the rest of the world, sea ice is rapidly retreating.—
Nell Lewis,
CNN Money,
10 Oct. 2025
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Browse books, play pool, and spin records in the Living Room before retreating to the 5,600-square-foot spa, complete with a Himalayan salt room, Finnish sauna, seasonal outdoor pool, and treatments by sustainable Italian brand Comfort Zone, among others.—
Siobhan Reid,
Vogue,
10 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Retiring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retiring. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.
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