as in withdrawn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
Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 30 Oct. 2025
Brown, who played football for the University of Nebraska and was a fifth-round draft pick for the New York Giants in 2000 before retiring in 2009, married Smith in July 2010.
—Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 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
The ice dance team of Zachary Donohue and Madison Hubbell, who won bronze and participated in the team event, won’t be returning after retiring from competition in 2022.
—Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 29 Oct. 2025
Before retiring, Garavani held his final couture collection at the Rodin Museum in January 2008.
—Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2025
After retiring from football, Owens began his career as a lawyer, specializing in sports injuries.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 28 Oct. 2025
Ahmed replaces Brad Lindner, who is retiring after more than 47 years with the company.
—Alexander Coolidge, Cincinnati Enquirer, 28 Oct. 2025
Billups was also a Hall of Fame player, mostly for the Detroit Pistons, before retiring in 2014.
—Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 23 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
Big bills, more emissions Opponents to the project expressed frustration that financial incentives for clean energy are being used to fund fossil fuel projects without retiring coal plants as the original bill intended.
—Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 30 Oct. 2025
Brown, who played football for the University of Nebraska and was a fifth-round draft pick for the New York Giants in 2000 before retiring in 2009, married Smith in July 2010.
—Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 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
The ice dance team of Zachary Donohue and Madison Hubbell, who won bronze and participated in the team event, won’t be returning after retiring from competition in 2022.
—Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 29 Oct. 2025
Before retiring, Garavani held his final couture collection at the Rodin Museum in January 2008.
—Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2025
After retiring from football, Owens began his career as a lawyer, specializing in sports injuries.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 28 Oct. 2025
Ahmed replaces Brad Lindner, who is retiring after more than 47 years with the company.
—Alexander Coolidge, Cincinnati Enquirer, 28 Oct. 2025
Billups was also a Hall of Fame player, mostly for the Detroit Pistons, before retiring in 2014.
—Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 23 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retiring
Adjective
-
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
-
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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And when summer break came later that year, Ahmad and Marshall brought the student fight back to their hometown, setting up a RAM chapter in Philadelphia, where Moore was now settling in.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Oct. 2025
-
The two No 10s largely avoid the sort of slack passes and heavy touches that have previously halted United from properly settling into their attacking grooves.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
26 Oct. 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
-
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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After suffering a major setback in March by losing the capital of Khartoum, the RSF regained the initiative in the following months, culminating in the SAF withdrawing from its last stronghold in western Sudan, El Fasher, leaving it at the RSF’s mercy.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
30 Oct. 2025
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The 3rd Battalion is undergoing modernization that includes refining tactics such as seizing key terrain for the rapid insertion and deployment of HIMARS launchers for strike missions, then withdrawing to a secure location.—
Ryan Chan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Oct. 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
-
Bush Hager's most noticeable symptoms include mood swings and trouble sleeping.—
Alex Ross,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
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Upon awakening to a loud fire alarm, EKG results showed an average heart rate of 180 beats per minute, as compared with an average of less than 70 while sleeping.—
Bryant Stamford,
Louisville Courier Journal,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In the aftermath of the meeting, LSU personnel met to discuss the viability of dismissing the coach, considering his massive buyout clause.—
Nelson Espinal,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
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Comments such as these underlie the medical establishment’s long history of dismissing women’s pain, which can further harm their health.—
Tanya Lewis,
Scientific American,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Precious metals and related mining stocks are retreating after a parabolic upmove over the past two months.—
Katie Stockton,
CNBC,
27 Oct. 2025
-
In the example below from their 2-1 win over Girona, Barcelona man-mark the opposition midfielders but Fermin Lopez’s passive positioning allows a pass into retreating centre-forward Portu.—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Retiring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retiring. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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