as in withdrawn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
Tom Strong, Chicago Tribune, 18 Jan. 2026
After 2 1/2 seasons as head coach of the Chargers, Al Saunders finished his distinguished career as an assistant with seven other NFL teams, retiring in 2018.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Jan. 2026
Last week, head coach Kevin O’Connell announced that assistant head coach Mike Pettine was retiring.
—Alec Lewis, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2026
While Lou segued easily into a career with the Miami-Dade police force, Mario needed time after retiring to figure out his path.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 17 Jan. 2026
Jack became the athletic director at Marquette University in 2002 after retiring from coaching, but his sons gave him the opportunity to hop back into the game on their respective teams.
—Rebecca Aizin, PEOPLE, 16 Jan. 2026
Despite retiring early because of injuries stemming from a fall at the 2001 NFR, Firewater Fiesta still earned Kelly more than $800,000 over her career.
—Brittany Anas, Denver Post, 16 Jan. 2026
The school will hold a ceremony retiring her jersey at halftime of the boys’ basketball game between Sierra Canyon and Sherman Oaks Notre Dame.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026
After retiring in 2015, Leonhard returned to his alma mater, Wisconsin, to be the defensive backs coach in 2016 and defensive coordinator for the Badgers from 2017 to 2022.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Jan. 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
Owners Luke Petit and his wife Sue are going to be retiring and moving to Wisconsin to be nearer to some of their grandkids.
—Tom Strong, Chicago Tribune, 18 Jan. 2026
After 2 1/2 seasons as head coach of the Chargers, Al Saunders finished his distinguished career as an assistant with seven other NFL teams, retiring in 2018.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Jan. 2026
Last week, head coach Kevin O’Connell announced that assistant head coach Mike Pettine was retiring.
—Alec Lewis, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2026
While Lou segued easily into a career with the Miami-Dade police force, Mario needed time after retiring to figure out his path.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 17 Jan. 2026
Jack became the athletic director at Marquette University in 2002 after retiring from coaching, but his sons gave him the opportunity to hop back into the game on their respective teams.
—Rebecca Aizin, PEOPLE, 16 Jan. 2026
Despite retiring early because of injuries stemming from a fall at the 2001 NFR, Firewater Fiesta still earned Kelly more than $800,000 over her career.
—Brittany Anas, Denver Post, 16 Jan. 2026
The school will hold a ceremony retiring her jersey at halftime of the boys’ basketball game between Sierra Canyon and Sherman Oaks Notre Dame.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026
After retiring in 2015, Leonhard returned to his alma mater, Wisconsin, to be the defensive backs coach in 2016 and defensive coordinator for the Badgers from 2017 to 2022.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retiring
Adjective
-
The story follows Trey, a withdrawn ex-con surviving as a night driver on the city’s margins, who forms a tentative and increasingly intimate bond with Camden (Dafne Keen), a sharp and restless young woman working as a call girl.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
20 Jan. 2026
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These include frequent unexplained injuries, chronic lack of supervision, new adults entering the home without explanation, ongoing exhaustion after transitions, or a child who suddenly seems fearful or withdrawn.—
Jann Blackstone,
Boston Herald,
23 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
This counterproductive score-settling (which even Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent knows was a mistake, per Axios) might explain why financial markets mostly shrugged.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
13 Jan. 2026
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Since settling in the wealthy coastal city of Montecito, the couple aired their grievances in interviews and documentaries.—
Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa,
FOXNews.com,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Pursuit of Purdy The Seahawks’ front seven made life difficult for Purdy, chasing him across the field while sacking him twice.—
Andrew Destin,
Baltimore Sun,
18 Jan. 2026
-
The Texans stifled the Steelers rushing attack and harassed Aaron Rodgers so extensively — sacking him four times, hitting him 12 times — that the future Hall of Fame quarterback scarcely had time to wait for plays to develop and repeatedly dumped the ball off for short gains.—
Mike Jones,
New York Times,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
But again, no school can prevent a player from withdrawing and enrolling elsewhere.—
Jon Wilner,
Mercury News,
9 Jan. 2026
-
With his previous attorney withdrawing from the case, arraignment was postponed Wednesday for Rob Reiner’s youngest son, who is charged with murdering the famed filmmaker and his photographer wife Michele in their Brentwood home.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
His previous career high was 56, which was one shy of the 6A record (the classification for the largest schools).—
Ryan Canfield,
FOXNews.com,
15 Jan. 2026
-
Molina Healthcare added almost 2%, and UnitedHealth ticked up just shy of 1%.—
Michelle Fox,Darla Mercado, CFP®,
CNBC,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Melatonin also promoted sleep in the animals and scientists observed them sleeping at night and taking midday naps.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
9 Jan. 2026
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Those years — nights, sometimes weeks, sleeping outdoors — would later inform the script of Being Charlie, the semi-autobiographical film he co-wrote.—
Danielle Bacher,
PEOPLE,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Acknowledging effort and complexity, rather than dismissing them, fosters engagement and improves problem-solving.—
Cheryl Robinson,
Forbes.com,
20 Jan. 2026
-
Federal judge rules in Simplot’s favor In late December, Winmill issued an order granting the company’s request for a summary judgment and dismissing all of Skidmore and Dance’s claims.—
Angela Palermo,
Idaho Statesman,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The pact also included staffing improvements, though the union and hospitals now disagree about how much progress has been made, or whether the hospitals are retreating from staffing guarantees.—
David R. Martin,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Gosling has a way of retreating into a silence more emotionally eloquent than the film’s occasionally clunky dialogue.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Retiring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retiring. Accessed 22 Jan. 2026.
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