as in withdrawn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
Jessica Coacci, Fortune, 18 Sep. 2025
Policy and lifecycle management operate through declarative APIs and user interface controls for creating, deploying, updating and retiring agents.
—Janakiram Msv, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
The 24-year-old, who put together a 14-2 record during his own career before retiring, took to Instagram with an emotional tribute.
—Evan Bell, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
The 32-year-old's mom worked as a medical laboratory scientist at a blood bank for decades before retiring.
—Gili Malinsky
zachary Green, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2025
As previously reported by the Tennessean, Irwin opened Santa’s Pub after retiring, simply looking for something to keep him busy.
—Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean, 16 Sep. 2025
The United States included provisions in the 2022 Chips and Science Act to support converting retiring coal plants to nuclear sites.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 15 Sep. 2025
Earlier this year, Tyler returned to the stage after retiring from touring due to significant damage to his vocal cords.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 15 Sep. 2025
After brushing off the sand and retiring our flip-flops, getting dressed suddenly feels intentional again — and effort feels exciting.
—Brooke Devard Ozaydinli, Refinery29, 10 Sep. 2025
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
For those seeking sunshine, safety, and affordability, retiring abroad is more appealing than ever.
—Jessica Coacci, Fortune, 18 Sep. 2025
Policy and lifecycle management operate through declarative APIs and user interface controls for creating, deploying, updating and retiring agents.
—Janakiram Msv, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
The 24-year-old, who put together a 14-2 record during his own career before retiring, took to Instagram with an emotional tribute.
—Evan Bell, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
The 32-year-old's mom worked as a medical laboratory scientist at a blood bank for decades before retiring.
—Gili Malinsky
zachary Green, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2025
As previously reported by the Tennessean, Irwin opened Santa’s Pub after retiring, simply looking for something to keep him busy.
—Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean, 16 Sep. 2025
The United States included provisions in the 2022 Chips and Science Act to support converting retiring coal plants to nuclear sites.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 15 Sep. 2025
Earlier this year, Tyler returned to the stage after retiring from touring due to significant damage to his vocal cords.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 15 Sep. 2025
After brushing off the sand and retiring our flip-flops, getting dressed suddenly feels intentional again — and effort feels exciting.
—Brooke Devard Ozaydinli, Refinery29, 10 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retiring
Adjective
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Set in Taiwan in 1988, Girl revolves around Hsiao-lee, a quiet and withdrawn girl, growing up in silent gloom.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
5 Aug. 2025
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Unfortunately, further discussions were heated, with no resolve, just more withdrawn behavior while the communications continued.—
Jeanne Phillips,
Mercury News,
30 July 2025
Verb
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Klarna popped as much as 30% on the day of its New York IPO, before settling to close around 15% higher.—
Ryan Browne,
CNBC,
15 Sep. 2025
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The sixth-year quarterback spent most of the game scanning downfield with good protection, finding nothing and settling for shorter throws.—
Brooks Kubena,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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But the Pats ultimately shut the Dolphins offense out in the fourth quarter, forcing a punt, intercepting Tagovailoa once and sacking him four times.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
15 Sep. 2025
-
The Giants largely held Jayden Daniels in check, particularly after halftime, while sacking him 3 times.—
Howard Megdal,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Duncan even contemplated mounting a third-party challenge to Trump as a No Labels candidate last year before withdrawing his name from consideration.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
16 Sep. 2025
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The Biden administration had weighed withdrawing antitrust immunity for the joint venture, which began in 2016.—
Leslie Josephs,
CNBC,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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However, at the Budapest world championships in 2023, Alfred was just shy of a podium finish in both of her events.—
Katelyn Hutchison,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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Instead, the president hasn’t been shy about wanting elite colleges to foot the bill.—
Liam Knox,
Fortune,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Even modest circadian misalignment, characterized by sleeping and waking at hours that are out of sync with your body's clock, has been shown in Scientific Reports to impair sustained attention and reduce the ability to learn and assimilate new information.—
Julian Hayes II,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
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The researchers were surprised to find that participants with chronic insomnia who reported sleeping more than usual had fewer white matter spots in the brain — areas where small vessel disease may have damaged brain tissue, which have been linked to cerebrovascular disease.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The panel, which Kennedy reshaped earlier this year by dismissing its members and appointing some vaccine skeptics, will convene Thursday and Friday in Atlanta.—
Adeola Adeosun
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Sep. 2025
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An Arizona inmate tricked court officials into releasing him more than two decades early by filing fake orders allegedly dismissing his charges.—
Suzanne Nuyen,
NPR,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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With a signature bright plum lip and highlight in her hair, Williams, 61, kept her people close but didn't shy away from the camera, allowing the fashion week photogs to capture her for a solid 15 minutes before retreating to one of the presentation's regal showrooms.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
15 Sep. 2025
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That is because buyers have been retreating from the market due to ongoing affordability issues, including still-rising home prices, historically elevated mortgage rates, and growing economic concern linked to government policies.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Retiring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retiring. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.
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