as in withdrawn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
CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2026
Another conservative justice is retiring next year, giving liberals a chance to take 6-1 control of the court thanks to Taylor’s victory.
—ABC News, 7 Apr. 2026
Another conservative justice retiring next year could yield a 6-1 liberal supermajority, reshaping Wisconsin policy on voting rights, unions, and worker protections.
—Scott Bauer, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2026
The Nashville Predators with Barry Trotz retiring and Toronto Maple Leafs after firing Brad Treliving are currently searching for a new head of hockey operations.
—CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
The mailbox stand bears the logo of Pan Am, one of the airport employers Alonso had before retiring.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2026
Tampa Bay left-hander Steven Matz finished with eight punch outs in his six innings, at one point retiring 12 straight Twins batters.
—Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 5 Apr. 2026
Since retiring from a 25-year career in the Army in 2016, Bennett has been active in local government, first serving as the chief innovation officer for the City of Kansas City until 2019.
—Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026
Robinson joined Day Pitney after retiring from the Supreme Court in 2024.
—Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 31 Mar. 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
Two state appeals court judges, Chris Taylor and Maria Lazar, are running to replace retiring conservative Justice Rebecca Bradley.
—CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2026
Another conservative justice is retiring next year, giving liberals a chance to take 6-1 control of the court thanks to Taylor’s victory.
—ABC News, 7 Apr. 2026
Another conservative justice retiring next year could yield a 6-1 liberal supermajority, reshaping Wisconsin policy on voting rights, unions, and worker protections.
—Scott Bauer, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2026
The Nashville Predators with Barry Trotz retiring and Toronto Maple Leafs after firing Brad Treliving are currently searching for a new head of hockey operations.
—CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
The mailbox stand bears the logo of Pan Am, one of the airport employers Alonso had before retiring.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2026
Tampa Bay left-hander Steven Matz finished with eight punch outs in his six innings, at one point retiring 12 straight Twins batters.
—Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 5 Apr. 2026
Since retiring from a 25-year career in the Army in 2016, Bennett has been active in local government, first serving as the chief innovation officer for the City of Kansas City until 2019.
—Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026
Robinson joined Day Pitney after retiring from the Supreme Court in 2024.
—Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 31 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retiring
Adjective
-
Parents report that many children stop eating, lose weight and become withdrawn.—
Mike Hixenbaugh,
NBC news,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Along the way, Babilonia matured from the shy withdrawn child who refused to hold a boy’s hand into a bold, strong and confident woman.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
While this doesn't erase the debt instantly, settling for less than the full balance can stop further collection efforts and, in some cases, prevent legal action.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Shopping for designer shoes on sale doesn’t have to mean scouring the internet for vintage and secondhand styles, or settling for designs that are no longer in season.—
Jessie Quinn,
StyleCaster,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The confrontation went viral in December 2024, as cameras captured Gastineau confronting Favre in 2023 over Michael Strahan sacking the Green Bay Packers legend to break Gastineau's single-season sack record.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
17 Mar. 2026
-
So Green can go back to sad-sacking and triple-singling starting Saturday against the Thunder, and certainly Monday against the Jazz.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Scheffler, who tends to keep his golf separate from his home life, had not shared any information since withdrawing from the Houston Open two weeks ago because of the impending birth of his second child.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
5 Apr. 2026
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However, legislation passed under the previous Biden administration in December 2023 would prevent any president from withdrawing the United States from NATO without two-thirds approval from the Senate or an Act of Congress.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Brendan Carr, the chairman of the FCC who is rarely shy on any media topic, seized on the issue of accessible sports rights in a post on X earlier this year.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
9 Apr. 2026
-
While the service module falls away to burn up on re-entry over the Pacific, Orion’s crew module will begin its direct path at 400,000 feet altitude, about 1,900 miles shy of its splashdown site .—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Typical orthopedic shoulder pain usually occurs after an injury, overuse, sleeping awkwardly, lifting something heavy or repetitive motion, according to the doctor.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
6 Apr. 2026
-
One of these rooms was used for sleeping and contained a niche where a lamp was placed, as reported by Heritage Daily.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The high court order allows a lower court to consider dismissing his indictment.—
Mark Sherman,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Apr. 2026
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Additionally, the judge took the rare and drastic step of permanently dismissing all legal claims brought by Brigandi’s client, San Diego resident Joanne Couvrette, against her brothers in the winery dispute.—
Alex Riggins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Glaciers all over the world -- especially in Antarctica -- are also retreating at a rapid pace, recent research shows.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2026
-
The alarmed father then began retreating while shouting for their daughter to drive away.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Retiring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retiring. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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