as in withdrawn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
Scott M. Reid, Oc Register, 11 Mar. 2026
The deal comes two days after the Chargers signed veteran center Tyler Biadasz to take over for the retiring Bradley Bozeman.
—Senior Editor, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
Ron Hanegraaf served on the hometown force for 30 years, retiring as sergeant in 2009.
—Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 9 Mar. 2026
That’s because the utility is in the process of retiring old generation facilities and building transmission lines.
—Kelsey Brown, San Antonio Express-News, 9 Mar. 2026
Shahinian succeeds Tom Prassis, executive vice president of sales, who is retiring after a 29-year run with Sony Pictures Classics.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 9 Mar. 2026
Walton has also wound down his involvement in Walmart, retiring from a 23-year stint as chairman in 2015 and leaving the company’s board in 2024.
—Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 3 Mar. 2026
Show all candidates George Morales, a longtime law enforcement officer and Travis County Precinct 4 constable, was out at polling places Tuesday as voters decided who will succeed retiring Commissioner Margaret Gómez representing Precinct 4 on the Commissioner’s Court.
—Keri Heath, Austin American Statesman, 3 Mar. 2026
She was met with hostility from Tillis, who is retiring at the end of his term, and Democrats on the panel and skepticism even from some other committee Republicans.
—Justin Papp, CNBC, 3 Mar. 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
Liu won the 2025 World title last March, less than a year after returning to the sport after retiring days after the 2022 Olympic Games in Beijing.
—Scott M. Reid, Oc Register, 11 Mar. 2026
The deal comes two days after the Chargers signed veteran center Tyler Biadasz to take over for the retiring Bradley Bozeman.
—Senior Editor, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
Ron Hanegraaf served on the hometown force for 30 years, retiring as sergeant in 2009.
—Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 9 Mar. 2026
That’s because the utility is in the process of retiring old generation facilities and building transmission lines.
—Kelsey Brown, San Antonio Express-News, 9 Mar. 2026
Shahinian succeeds Tom Prassis, executive vice president of sales, who is retiring after a 29-year run with Sony Pictures Classics.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 9 Mar. 2026
Walton has also wound down his involvement in Walmart, retiring from a 23-year stint as chairman in 2015 and leaving the company’s board in 2024.
—Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 3 Mar. 2026
Show all candidates George Morales, a longtime law enforcement officer and Travis County Precinct 4 constable, was out at polling places Tuesday as voters decided who will succeed retiring Commissioner Margaret Gómez representing Precinct 4 on the Commissioner’s Court.
—Keri Heath, Austin American Statesman, 3 Mar. 2026
She was met with hostility from Tillis, who is retiring at the end of his term, and Democrats on the panel and skepticism even from some other committee Republicans.
—Justin Papp, CNBC, 3 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retiring
Adjective
-
Parents report that many children stop eating, lose weight and become withdrawn.—
Mike Hixenbaugh,
NBC news,
6 Feb. 2026
-
The Flynns’ pompous neighbor, Jim Doherty, a divorcé with a withdrawn, unpleasant son, encourages Catherine’s artistic rebirth.—
Hannah Gold,
New Yorker,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Walker connected from beyond the arc to give Colorado its largest lead at 31-14 with six minutes left in the second period before settling for a 37-25 advantage at halftime.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Hopes for any stability and settling out, however, have been quickly shaken.—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN Money,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
So Green can go back to sad-sacking and triple-singling starting Saturday against the Thunder, and certainly Monday against the Jazz.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Getty Images Tottenham Hotspur are searching for their eighth manager/head coach (interim and permanent) since 2019 after sacking Thomas Frank on Wednesday amid a run of two wins in 17 Premier League games.—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Arguing that having a public apology circulating online would be unfair to their client, his attorneys instead handed Rose a paper note containing the apology before quickly withdrawing it.—
Andrew Lapin,
Sun Sentinel,
9 Mar. 2026
-
And naive, especially after the Soviet Union spent a decade fighting in Afghanistan to put communist allies in charge, before withdrawing its troops in 1989 amid failure.—
Jill Lawrence,
Mercury News,
7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
They’re also sold in a three-pack, so don’t be shy about spraying them on everyone’s hands.—
Terri Peters,
Parents,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Charlotte’s 22 double-digit wins are only four shy of the highest single-season total in franchise history.—
James Jackson,
New York Times,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Some common behaviors to look out for include sleep changes, like getting very little sleep, or alternatively sleeping or hibernating more than usual, says Guilbault.—
Staff Author,
Parents,
9 Mar. 2026
-
An analysis published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine indicated that sleeping for less than seven hours a night increases the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and depression.—
Veronica Cristino,
Vogue,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Despite the extraordinary decision, Mejia remained in custody while the case returned to Travis County — where was convicted and sentenced to life in prison — for the final legal step of dismissing the charges.—
Austin Sanders,
Austin American Statesman,
9 Mar. 2026
-
In February, Judge Arun Subramanian handed down a summary judgment dismissing that claim.—
Walden Green,
Pitchfork,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In the third quarter, after taking a tumble, Green reached out and grabbed the ankle of a retreating Jabari Smith Jr.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
6 Mar. 2026
-
However, the ice sheet has been retreating from the grounding line in the most vulnerable regions at a rate of more than 170 square miles per year.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Retiring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retiring. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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