RETIRING Synonyms: 165 Similar and Opposite Words

retiring 1 of 2

adjective

ri-ˈtī(-ə)r-iŋ

Definition of retiring

as in withdrawn

not comfortable around people one retiring young girl was sitting alone quietly in a corner during the party

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

retiring

2 of 2

verb

present participle of retire

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

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

Officials would also have to consider compensation for carriage owners and assistance with retiring horses, but no payouts are guaranteed. — Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026 The retiring congressman has at times bucked House Democratic leadership in voting with Republicans. — ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026 After 37 years at Mac’s Drive-Thru in Gainesville, Florida, sunny and beloved Sighle is retiring. — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2026 Kevin Kelly got two outs in the seventh, retiring Ramírez on a fly ball to center with two runners on. — Rob Maaddi, Chicago Tribune, 14 Oct. 2026 Kevin Mannix worked out of the San Francisco Police Department’s Taraval Station for 27 years before retiring, according to the association in June 2018. — Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026 That’s a notable turn from just a few years ago, when Fortune reported that boomers remained fixated on retiring in Florida even as rising costs priced many of their peers out. — Andrew McGowan, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2026 The only place surveyed where the Republican is ahead in the campaign for the governor’s office is Kansas, now held by a retiring Democrat. — Ruth Igielnik, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026 As he gets set to replace a retiring Colette Watson as head of Rogers Media, Pelley will oversee a portfolio that includes the Sportsnet channel and another 30 TV networks and over 40 radio stations. — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for retiring

Adjective

In an era of ball-to-feet No 10s and withdrawn strikers, Welbeck stays high up the pitch, runs the channels and occupies defenders.

— Liam Tharme, New York Times, 27 July 2026
The withdrawn earnings are taxed as ordinary income, the Treasury said.

— Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 11 July 2026

Definition of withdrawn

Verb

Worthy settling in is an encouraging development for the Chiefs, especially with Rice potentially returning as soon as next week.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 18 Oct. 2026
By 1968, Mitchell moved to Los Angeles, settling in Laurel Canyon, which was becoming a hub for singer-songwriters including David Crosby, Graham Nash and others.

— Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of settling

Verb

The Miami pass rush had been building toward a breakout game and finally got it against Minnesota, sacking quarterback Kyler Murray four times and hitting him on several other occasions.

— David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026
The Dolphins got constant pressure on the former first overall pick, sacking him four times.

— Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of sacking

Verb

Bass pushed for a bill in the state Legislature that would have reduced taxes on apartment buildings but ended up withdrawing it.

— Jack Flemming, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
San Antonio police have advised bank customers to stay alert when withdrawing cash and watch for anyone who may be following them.

— Jacob Beltran, San Antonio Express-News, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of withdrawing

Adjective

Murders were ‘ice cold’ On the day of the murders, Sierra had joined the family on a shopping outing to Mall of the Americas to purchase a birthday gift for Daniela, who was days shy of turning 4.

— Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026
The French 10-year bond yield jumped more than 10 basis points, taking it just shy of its highest level in decades.

— Jenni Reid, CNBC, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of shy

Verb

Humans have been sleeping on some sort of mattress for 77,000 years, beginning with leaves and twigs, then innovating through other plant materials and animal hair, eventually reaching today’s many, many foam offerings.

— Jaklin Romine Oct. 15, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
The last slide of the carousel features a video of himself rocking a sleeping newborn.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of sleeping

Verb

Things get even more alarming when Eidra can’t reach Tom Libby and reports start rolling in that Vaughn is dismissing everyone in Trowbridge’s government who’d had a significant relationship with Kate and her team.

— Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2026
Citing 2026 laureate Navi Pillay—known for charging Israel with genocide and dismissing free speech—Schatz warns the award now rewards ideological insider posturing rather than genuine efforts to achieve international peace.

— Staff, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of dismissing

Verb

The pope paused for a moment and waved to the crowd before retreating into his apartment in the Apostolic Palace.

— Colleen Barry, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
In a world riven by democratic backsliding and polluted with AI slop, there’s something seductive about the idea of retreating to a wild, unnavigable place where no one can follow you—because you’ll be submerged up to your eyeballs.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2026