as in withdrawn
not comfortable around people
one retiring young girl was sitting alone quietly in a corner during the party
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Literary Hub, 2 June 2026
Twelve Democrats are competing to replace Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman, who is retiring after five terms.
—New York Times, 2 June 2026
With Pelosi retiring after nearly four decades in Congress, her San Francisco House seat is up for grabs.
—Terry Collins, USA Today, 2 June 2026
The council will also honor a longtime municipal judge and an Olathe Historic Preservation Board member, who are both retiring.
—Kendrick Calfee
june 2, Kansas City Star, 2 June 2026
In District 1, representing North Natomas, North Sacramento, East Sacramento and Oak Park, four candidates are vying to replace retiring four-term Supervisor Phil Serna.
—Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 2 June 2026
Serena Williams, who amassed 23 major championships and 73 career singles titles before retiring in 2022, is returning to competitive tennis at 44.
—Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 1 June 2026
Prior to her death, Erickson worked in the county treasurer's office for 30 years before retiring in 1998, according to Oxygen.
—Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 1 June 2026
Rodrigues, who joined the retailer in 2019 as head of controlling, succeeds Eric Lovisolo, who is retiring after holding the position since 2008.
—Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 26 May 2026
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 owner, Tom Furrier, was retiring after 45 years, closing up shop, and selling off the last of his stock.
—Literary Hub, 2 June 2026
Twelve Democrats are competing to replace Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman, who is retiring after five terms.
—New York Times, 2 June 2026
With Pelosi retiring after nearly four decades in Congress, her San Francisco House seat is up for grabs.
—Terry Collins, USA Today, 2 June 2026
The council will also honor a longtime municipal judge and an Olathe Historic Preservation Board member, who are both retiring.
—Kendrick Calfee
june 2, Kansas City Star, 2 June 2026
In District 1, representing North Natomas, North Sacramento, East Sacramento and Oak Park, four candidates are vying to replace retiring four-term Supervisor Phil Serna.
—Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 2 June 2026
Serena Williams, who amassed 23 major championships and 73 career singles titles before retiring in 2022, is returning to competitive tennis at 44.
—Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 1 June 2026
Prior to her death, Erickson worked in the county treasurer's office for 30 years before retiring in 1998, according to Oxygen.
—Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 1 June 2026
Rodrigues, who joined the retailer in 2019 as head of controlling, succeeds Eric Lovisolo, who is retiring after holding the position since 2008.
—Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 26 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retiring
Adjective
-
Patrick Stewart is also among those to have publicly discussed working with a withdrawn Hardy, who has also starred in The Dark Knight trilogy, Peaky Blinders and the Venom films.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
27 May 2026
-
Read more on the deadly ripple effects of withdrawn aid.—
Theresa Gaffney,
STAT,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
Medeiros scored on a wild pitch by Aiden Robinson (seven innings, three strikeouts), who dealt with early command issues before settling into a groove.—
Justin Barrasso,
Boston Herald,
30 May 2026
-
So the people settling Adelaide were not the convicts.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
30 May 2026
Verb
-
Villa’s then sporting director Monchi reportedly attempting a straight swap of him for goalkeeper Emi Martinez last summer is a sacking offence (perhaps literally).—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
26 May 2026
-
Giants linebacker Abdul Carter didn’t waste any time sacking his own quarterback.—
Leonard Greene,
New York Daily News,
23 May 2026
Verb
-
Carlos Alcaraz isn’t in the tournament after withdrawing because of a wrist injury.—
Dan Zaksheske,
FOXNews.com,
1 June 2026
-
Depending on the circumstances, you may be restricted from withdrawing funds, making purchases with your debit card, transferring money or paying bills.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
1 June 2026
Adjective
-
Petco — Shares of the pet retailer dropped roughly 8% after Petco’s current-quarter forecast came in shy of Wall Street’s expectations.—
Michelle Fox,
CNBC,
4 June 2026
-
Though often despised, carp are exceedingly shy and difficult, and great fighters.—
Byron W. Dalrymple,
Outdoor Life,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
Accommodations range from deluxe, superior, and premier to urban, and two penthouses, the latter of which are a statement stay that seem better suited for entertaining than sleeping.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
In the house Gita lives in, kinship is learned through daily friction, through the particular silence that means someone is upset, through the understanding of who to wake and who not to disturb while sleeping.—
Vogue,
Vogue,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
The Browns entered the offseason looking for a replacement after dismissing Kevin Stefanski, and Schwartz quickly emerged as a leading candidate after overseeing one of the NFL's top defenses.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
3 June 2026
-
On May 20, an $850,000 settlement was reached in the case in exchange for dismissing the complaint, according to a news release by Terr’s organization FIRE, which represented Bushart.—
Drew Pittock,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
Haiti continues to stand before far larger powers — culturally, economically, politically — without retreating.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
30 May 2026
-
The video appears to show a person standing with a snow shovel outside the house, near the street, then retreating toward the house and tossing the shovel into the yard.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Retiring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retiring. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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