as in withdrawn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
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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
CBS News, 31 Mar. 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
Saves, steals and other delights Carlos Estevez was rocked in his season debut for the Royals, retiring just one batter and allowing four hits, two free passes and a no-doubt walk-off grand slam to Dom Smith.
—Andy Behrens, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2026
Conner Phillips walked Marcell Ozuna and Ryan O'Hearn before retiring three straight for his first career save.
—ABC News, 30 Mar. 2026
After retiring from coaching, Conradt remained with UT’s athletic department in an advisor role.
—Lia Assimakopoulos, Dallas Morning News, 29 Mar. 2026
Suzuki spent 16 seasons as a major league catcher, retiring in 2022.
—Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2026
That left the door open for a beloved Italian star, Federico Pellegrino, who, like Diggins, is retiring after this competition.
—Bill McKibben, New Yorker, 24 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
Conner Phillips walked Marcell Ozuna and Ryan O'Hearn before retiring three straight for his first career save.
—CBS News, 31 Mar. 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
Saves, steals and other delights Carlos Estevez was rocked in his season debut for the Royals, retiring just one batter and allowing four hits, two free passes and a no-doubt walk-off grand slam to Dom Smith.
—Andy Behrens, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2026
Conner Phillips walked Marcell Ozuna and Ryan O'Hearn before retiring three straight for his first career save.
—ABC News, 30 Mar. 2026
After retiring from coaching, Conradt remained with UT’s athletic department in an advisor role.
—Lia Assimakopoulos, Dallas Morning News, 29 Mar. 2026
Suzuki spent 16 seasons as a major league catcher, retiring in 2022.
—Steve Galluzzo, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2026
That left the door open for a beloved Italian star, Federico Pellegrino, who, like Diggins, is retiring after this competition.
—Bill McKibben, New Yorker, 24 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
-
But nobody seemed bothered Saturday night by the new stadium’s location, or by the work left to be done finishing it, or by the long delay realizing this night, or even by settling for a draw.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Joan asked, settling in beside them with a glass of white wine.—
Catherine Lacey,
New Yorker,
5 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
-
Daines later said withdrawing earlier could have enticed a prominent Democrat like Tester to enter the race.—
Kirk Siegler,
NPR,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Chock and Bates decided not to pursue a fourth straight ice dance world championship, joining Olympic teammate Alysa Liu in withdrawing from the worlds, a common decision for skaters who compete at the Winter Games.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The county attorney makes $344,268, just shy of the city attorney, and Sheriff Gary McFadden trails the police chief with a $271,277 salary.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Stout, who has a doctorate in clinical psychology and has worked in the mental health field her entire career, understood what her uncle needed, and Hochheiser himself wasn’t shy.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Despite her difficult start, Kaiko has since been recovering in her new home, with the viral video capturing a quiet but significant milestone—her first night sleeping indoors.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The suspect was stuck in the shoulder while a stray bullet grazed a sleeping 71-year-old in a near by home.—
Colleen Cronin,
Boston Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Minnesota public universities can continue to offer in-state tuition and scholarships to some immigrants in the country without legal status, a federal judge ruled on Friday, dismissing a lawsuit filed by the Department of Justice last summer that attempted to halt the programs.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
-
While widely dismissing the appeal, the Court also referred preliminary questions to the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) regarding certain aspects of the obligation mechanism, leaving the legal debate open.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Ndiaye also declined to clear the ball, instead trying to thread a pass to retreating teammate Jake Dengler inside the 18-yard box.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Police said security footage from the store shows customers staring and retreating before 53-year-old Tammy Canut of North Huntingdon walks into the frame naked.—
Meghan Schiller,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Retiring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retiring. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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