as in withdrawn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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
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
Dan Hayes,
New York Times,
23 June 2026
In the 7th Congressional District, Mamdani is backing Assemblywoman Claire Valdez, who is vying to take over retiring Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez's seat.
—
Christina Fan,
CBS News,
23 June 2026
Greenspan was appointed Fed chairman in 1987 by President Ronald Reagan and held the position — through busts and booms — until retiring in 2006.
—
Marty Steinberg,
CNBC,
22 June 2026
Adding to the affordability of retiring in Homosassa Springs are the state’s tax advantages.
—
Patricia Doherty,
Travel + Leisure,
22 June 2026
Treinen was the winning pitcher in the Dodgers’ 6-5 victory Friday, after retiring the side in order in the top of the ninth.
—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
21 June 2026
After retiring from Bloomfield, Lazowski became the Rabbi Emeritus of Emanuel Synagogue in West Hartford.
—
Sean Krofssik,
Hartford Courant,
21 June 2026
Here's everything to know about her life after retiring from the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.
—
Lynsey Eidell,
PEOPLE,
20 June 2026
Lyons, now the former CEO of the fintech Fiserv, will replace Bill Rogers, who is retiring in April and will remain with Truist as executive chair of the bank during the transition.
—
Charlotte Observer,
16 June 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
Matthews responded by retiring Tommy Edman for the first time in three at-bats and striking out backup catcher Chuckie Robinson.
—
Dan Hayes,
New York Times,
23 June 2026
In the 7th Congressional District, Mamdani is backing Assemblywoman Claire Valdez, who is vying to take over retiring Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez's seat.
—
Christina Fan,
CBS News,
23 June 2026
Greenspan was appointed Fed chairman in 1987 by President Ronald Reagan and held the position — through busts and booms — until retiring in 2006.
—
Marty Steinberg,
CNBC,
22 June 2026
Adding to the affordability of retiring in Homosassa Springs are the state’s tax advantages.
—
Patricia Doherty,
Travel + Leisure,
22 June 2026
Treinen was the winning pitcher in the Dodgers’ 6-5 victory Friday, after retiring the side in order in the top of the ninth.
—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
21 June 2026
After retiring from Bloomfield, Lazowski became the Rabbi Emeritus of Emanuel Synagogue in West Hartford.
—
Sean Krofssik,
Hartford Courant,
21 June 2026
Here's everything to know about her life after retiring from the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.
—
Lynsey Eidell,
PEOPLE,
20 June 2026
Lyons, now the former CEO of the fintech Fiserv, will replace Bill Rogers, who is retiring in April and will remain with Truist as executive chair of the bank during the transition.
—
Charlotte Observer,
16 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retiring
Adjective
-
Such movement was not mirrored on the Netherlands’ right, where the attack-minded Denzel Dumfries was playing a more withdrawn role.
-
Without daily contact with peers, some children become more withdrawn, lonely or emotionally flat.
Verb
-
After settling along India’s west coast, many Parsis built their lives as merchants in bustling ports.
-
That challenges our previous assumption that plague spillover was a side effect of people taking up farming and settling in permanent villages and towns, living closer to each other and to an assortment of animals (and their fleas).
Verb
-
The result was so emphatic that the Tunisian soccer federation acted fast, sacking manager Sabri Lamouchi just hours after.
-
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).
Verb
-
While conventional wisdom had long been that consumers should build up a certain level of savings — six months' worth of living expenses, for example — those who study the accounts now consider saving to be a dynamic process of paying in, withdrawing, and then replenishing.
-
The military held a similar security strip from 1985 until 2000, before withdrawing after years of steady casualties, a toll that is accumulating once again.
Adjective
-
The final attendance number fell just shy of a sellout at 68,391.
-
On Thursday, the EU Council formally adopted two regulations that officially enact the tariff commitments established last August, completing the legislative process just days shy of the July 4 deadline.
Verb
-
Bed bugs typically stay within a few feet of their food source, which is usually sleeping people or pets.
-
There are some other features to keep in mind when considering a sleeping pad, air mattress or camping cot.
Verb
-
Your method of dismissing your flippant remarks, then, is probably the next best option to silence.
-
Kerry Washington completely dismissing Seth Meyers’s home life absolutely slays.
Verb
-
That may help to explain why premium spirits brands are not retreating in the face of no-and-low.
-
But retreating indoors can come at a cost.
Cite this Entry
“Retiring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retiring. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
