as in withdrawn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
Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 24 Feb. 2026
With Bozeman retiring, the Chargers will initially save close to $6 million in space, according to Over the Cap.
—Daniel Popper, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2026
Two Careers Connected in Arizona Watt spent 12 seasons in the NFL, two with the Arizona Cardinals before retiring after the 2022 season.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 24 Feb. 2026
Cooper leads in the polls against Whatley, who could flip the seat held by retiring Thom Tillis (R-NC).
—Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 24 Feb. 2026
Two Careers, Two Trajectories Watt spent 12 NFL seasons, including two with the Cardinals, before retiring after the 2022 season.
—Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 24 Feb. 2026
Vonn returned to racing in late 2024 after retiring from the sport in 2019.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside, 23 Feb. 2026
Clellan previously worked as the adjutant general and executive director of the Colorado Department of Military and Veterans Affairs before retiring in October.
—Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 23 Feb. 2026
Trump nominated Brett Kavanaugh to replace retiring Justice Anthony Kennedy in 2018.
—Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 17 Feb. 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
While retiring isn’t on her mind, Alysa has emphasized the importance of taking breaks in order to advance in your career.
—Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 24 Feb. 2026
With Bozeman retiring, the Chargers will initially save close to $6 million in space, according to Over the Cap.
—Daniel Popper, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2026
Two Careers Connected in Arizona Watt spent 12 seasons in the NFL, two with the Arizona Cardinals before retiring after the 2022 season.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 24 Feb. 2026
Cooper leads in the polls against Whatley, who could flip the seat held by retiring Thom Tillis (R-NC).
—Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 24 Feb. 2026
Two Careers, Two Trajectories Watt spent 12 NFL seasons, including two with the Cardinals, before retiring after the 2022 season.
—Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 24 Feb. 2026
Vonn returned to racing in late 2024 after retiring from the sport in 2019.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside, 23 Feb. 2026
Clellan previously worked as the adjutant general and executive director of the Colorado Department of Military and Veterans Affairs before retiring in October.
—Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 23 Feb. 2026
Trump nominated Brett Kavanaugh to replace retiring Justice Anthony Kennedy in 2018.
—Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 17 Feb. 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
-
The Flynns’ pompous neighbor, Jim Doherty, a divorcé with a withdrawn, unpleasant son, encourages Catherine’s artistic rebirth.—
Hannah Gold,
New Yorker,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Lawmakers are settling in for a week of housing debates and efforts to limit the sharing of Big Data.—
The Denver Post,
Denver Post,
28 Feb. 2026
-
This coastal beach town’s sophistication never tipped into stuffiness, and the relaxation never felt like settling.—
Lisa A. Beach,
Southern Living,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Getty Images Tottenham Hotspur are searching for their eighth manager/head coach (interim and permanent) since 2019 after sacking Thomas Frank on Wednesday amid a run of two wins in 17 Premier League games.—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Seattle swarmed quarterback Drake Maye all game, sacking him six times and forcing three turnovers, leaving New England scoreless through the first three quarters.—
Kayla Hayempour,
NBC news,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The Iranian federation also would face disciplinary fines from FIFA — at least 250,000 Swiss francs ($321,000) for withdrawing up to 3 days before the tournament, and at least 500,000 Swiss francs ($642,000) if the decision is in the last month before kickoff.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 Mar. 2026
-
The Iranian federation also would face disciplinary fines from FIFA — at least 250,000 Swiss francs ($321,000) for withdrawing up to 30 days before the tournament, and at least 500,000 Swiss francs ($642,000) if the decision is in the last month before kickoff.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
2 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Nobody knows better than Riley that the current Heat iteration led by Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro and now Norman Powell leaves Miami still wanting, still well shy of championship contention.—
Greg Cote
February 25,
Miami Herald,
25 Feb. 2026
-
While admitting to being reserved and shy, there was no trace of annoyance or desire to speed things up.—
Luisa Zargani,
Footwear News,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Soon, Melling’s Colin is obeying his lover’s every order, including by shaving himself bald and sleeping like a dog on the floor.—
The Week US,
TheWeek,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Who to face this strange, ancient magic but the last of the Grim Lords, the sleeping necromancer Kaiataris?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Rather than dismissing student activism as naïve or disruptive, civic leaders can engage these young Marylanders in real discussions about how government works and how citizens influence change.—
Karl W. Bickel,
Baltimore Sun,
24 Feb. 2026
-
And more generally, Jim isn’t dismissing the presence of some bad loans within the private credit complex.—
Morgan Chittum,
CNBC,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Abel also used the letter to push back on any notion that the sizable cash position signified that Berkshire was retreating from investing.—
Yun Li,
CNBC,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Many advocates and executives are worried the agency may be retreating from the flexible approach regulators have promised in recent years.—
Jason Mast,
STAT,
26 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Retiring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retiring. Accessed 4 Mar. 2026.
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