Synonyms of retiring

retiring 1 of 2

adjective

ri-ˈtī(-ə)r-iŋ 

as in withdrawn

not comfortable around people

one retiring young girl was sitting alone quietly in a corner during the party

Synonyms & Similar Words

• withdrawn
• shy
• lone
• bashful
• introverted
• backward
• diffident
• coy
• modest
• sheepish
• recessive
• reserved
• demure
• embarrassed
• self-effacing
• awkward
• antisocial
• unsociable
• inhibited
• unassertive
• unsocial
• lone-wolf
• uneasy
• uptight
• unadventurous
• unenterprising
• self-conscious

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• outgoing
• extroverted
• social
• immodest
• gregarious
• companionable
• sociable
• convivial
• boon
• dashing
• bold
• forceful
• forward
• clubbable
• uninhibited
• unreserved
• brash
• overbold

retiring

2 of 2

verb

present participle of retire

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

• settling
• sleeping
• bedding
• napping
• crashing
• turning in
• hitting the hay
• bunking
• dozing
• dossing (down)
• nodding
• dropping off
• snoozing
• roosting
• perching
• lying (down)
• reclining
• slumbering
• couching

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rising
• arising
• waking
• uprising
• awakening
• getting up
• awaking
• wakening
• rousing
• stirring
• arousing
• reawakening
• shifting
• bestirring
• reawaking

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

• sacking
• dismissing
• removing
• firing
• releasing
• terminating
• axing
• discharging
• canning
• downsizing
• mustering out
• cashiering
• pink-slipping
• turning off
• bouncing
• showing (someone) the door
• sending packing
• trimming
• laying off
• furloughing
• separating
• excessing
• unseating
• kicking out
• drumming (out)
• chucking (out)
• booting (out)
• throwing out

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• employing
• hiring
• retaining
• engaging
• keeping
• signing (up or on)
• taking on
• contracting
• rehiring
• recruiting
• reemploying
• subcontracting

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

• withdrawing
• retreating
• fleeing
• receding
• falling back
• pulling out
• evacuating
• giving way
• dropping back
• losing ground
• backing away
• flying
• leaving
• shrinking
• departing
• giving ground
• flinching
• recoiling
• detaching
• going
• vacating
• abandoning
• quitting
• disengaging
• backtracking
• climbing down
• pulling away
• backing down
• disentangling
• bowing out
• backpedaling
• chickening (out)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• advancing
• facing
• confronting
• daring
• defying
• breasting
• braving
• brazening
• outbraving
• bearding

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of retiring

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

That work is arguably getting harder as chief executives stay in the job longer, causing their possible successors to get restless; some are bolting to jobs elsewhere or retiring themselves. — Phil Wahba, Fortune, 7 Aug. 2026

Mogg is a former PGA Tour player, the world’s highest level of competitive golf, and since retiring has coached players on the PGA, LPGA, Champions and Korn Ferry Tours to more than 30 championships. — Larry Olmsted, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Rumors swirled about Alito’s retirement plans after NPR published and then retracted an article by reporter Nina Totenberg that Alito would be retiring from his role on the bench at the end of the court’s 2025-26 term. — Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 7 Aug. 2026

Brady is not yet eligible for the Hall of Fame but is considered a shoo-in, having won six Super Bowls with the New England Patriots and a seventh with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before retiring in 2023. — Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 6 Aug. 2026

Krukow, a former pitcher for the Giants from 1983 to 1989, became a color analyst on the Giants' flagship KNBR radio after retiring as a player in 1990. — Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026

In 1994, Kuehl made history as the first openly gay person elected to the California State Legislature, later serving in the state Senate and on the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors before retiring from public office in 2022. — Sophie Clausen, PEOPLE, 6 Aug. 2026

After retiring early at the age of 28 in January 2020, Kuechly has now become a staple of the Panthers’ radio broadcast team. — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 6 Aug. 2026

Baresi is regarded as an AC Milan icon, having spent his entire 20-year career with the club, winning six Serie A titles and three top European trophies, and captaining the team for 15 seasons before retiring in 1997. — CNN Money, 31 July 2026