as in withdrawn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
Geoffrey Skelley, ABC News, 6 Jan. 2025
Finally, accelerated demand led by corporate refugees is being met by a steady supply of businesses from retiring baby boomers.
—Allbusiness, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
Trudeau's father, former Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau, served as the prime minister of Canada from 1968 to 1979 and from 1980 to 1984, before retiring from politics before the next election.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 6 Jan. 2025
After retiring in 1928, Slats lived out his days peacefully, passing away at 17 years old.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 5 Jan. 2025
Both represented Juventus for portions of their playing careers, with Conte, who is 15 years older, retiring the season Palladino signed for the Bianconeri from Sporting Benevento in 2004.
—David Ferrini, Forbes, 5 Jan. 2025
Bradley played 40 games for the advanced Class-A San Jose Bees that year before retiring as a player.
—Newsweek, 5 Jan. 2025
The film follows John in the 10 months leading up to his final touring show before retiring to spend time with his family and also tracks his rise in the early 1970s marked by monster hits and a spiral of sadness and loneliness.
—Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 24 Dec. 2024
After retiring from active competition, he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2016 for his contributions to the company.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2024
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
Among them, Oakland, California, whose voters recalled Mayor Sheng Thao in November, will hold a special election on April 15 that could feature a retiring member of Congress.
—Geoffrey Skelley, ABC News, 6 Jan. 2025
Finally, accelerated demand led by corporate refugees is being met by a steady supply of businesses from retiring baby boomers.
—Allbusiness, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
Trudeau's father, former Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau, served as the prime minister of Canada from 1968 to 1979 and from 1980 to 1984, before retiring from politics before the next election.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 6 Jan. 2025
After retiring in 1928, Slats lived out his days peacefully, passing away at 17 years old.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 5 Jan. 2025
Both represented Juventus for portions of their playing careers, with Conte, who is 15 years older, retiring the season Palladino signed for the Bianconeri from Sporting Benevento in 2004.
—David Ferrini, Forbes, 5 Jan. 2025
Bradley played 40 games for the advanced Class-A San Jose Bees that year before retiring as a player.
—Newsweek, 5 Jan. 2025
The film follows John in the 10 months leading up to his final touring show before retiring to spend time with his family and also tracks his rise in the early 1970s marked by monster hits and a spiral of sadness and loneliness.
—Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 24 Dec. 2024
After retiring from active competition, he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2016 for his contributions to the company.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retiring
Adjective
-
Often, people that indulge in this type of culture are considered anti-social or withdrawn, a stereotype that has been passed around for years.—
Dominick Williams,
Kansas City Star,
26 June 2025
-
People become irritable, withdrawn, or hyper-independent.—
Barnaby Lashbrooke,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
Verb
-
The Vikings, settling in the late eighth century, found the islands covered in prehistoric sites.—
Peter Ross,
Smithsonian Magazine,
8 Jan. 2025
-
The evacuation comes on the heels of Affleck settling his divorce from Jennifer Lopez on Monday.—
Jami Ganz,
New York Daily News,
8 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Dallas sacking Washington’s quarterbacks six times — Daniels four times — on Sunday upped the Commanders’ allowed sacks total to 22 over the last five games.—
Ben Standig,
The Athletic,
5 Jan. 2025
-
Dallas sacking Washington’s quarterbacks six times — Daniels four times — on Sunday upped the Commanders’ allowed sacks total to 22 over the last five games.—
Ben Standig,
The Athletic,
5 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
In December 2023, Congress passed a National Defense Authorization Act that aimed to block any president from unilaterally withdrawing from NATO without approval from the Senate or an act of Congress.—
Andy Biggs,
Newsweek,
26 Dec. 2024
-
Diddy is expected to return to court on March 17 and will spend the holiday season behind bars after withdrawing his appeal for bail.—
Emma Aerin Becker,
People.com,
23 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
However, Wicked arrived on Peacock on March 21, just shy of four months after the film opened in theaters.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
-
Measuring over 4 feet tall and just shy of two feet wide, this charming furniture find offers loads of storage in both top and bottom compartments.—
Alexandra Kay,
People.com,
26 June 2025
Verb
-
Most importantly, the proposal provides that, when discovery items are turned over belatedly, judges can impose consequences that stop short of dismissing the whole case, if a lesser remedy can ensure fairness to the defendant.—
Jane Manning,
New York Daily News,
31 Mar. 2025
-
So lawmakers aren't dismissing Golden Dome out of hand.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
27 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Three top concerns include elections and political turmoil that threaten progress, companies retreating or staying silent on DEI and ESG goals, and the rise of sustainability reporting that’s (temporarily) taking up companies’ time.—
Andrew Winston,
Harvard Business Review,
20 Dec. 2024
-
Deporting millions of immigrants and retreating from global trade by implementing slogans like America First will not achieve these goals.—
Andy J. Semotiuk,
Forbes,
19 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Glenn Close may have played the dog-napping Cruella De Vil in the 1996 live-action 101 Dalmatians, but Stone starred in this 2021 prequel, which explored Cruella's origins inside the world of high fashion.—
James Mercadante,
EW.com,
30 Mar. 2025
-
While napping has been found to be beneficial for cognitive abilities like memory and function, the timing is important — longer naps and napping later in the afternoon could cause someone to feel more alert when bedtime rolls around, Drerup said.—
Taylor Nicioli,
CNN,
14 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Retiring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retiring. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share