as in withdrawn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
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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
Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
JetBlue is retiring the E190s for more fuel-efficient planes with modern amenities.
—Zach Wichter, USA Today, 10 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
Jerry Rice Widely considered one of the greatest wide receivers of all time and one of the NFL's all-time leaders in catches, receiving yards and touchdowns, Rice, 62, has not slowed down since retiring from football in 2005.
—Stacy Lambe, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025
Stone Earle’s return to Abilene At no point in this voyage did Earle contemplate quitting, retiring or accept standing on the sidelines.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Sep. 2025
After retiring as a pro dancer on DWTS in 2023, Mark Ballas is now returning to the ballroom for season 34.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Sep. 2025
How Gen Xers’ accounts are doing Of the million-dollar-plus accounts, the majority (346,000) belonged to Gen Xers, the generation of people who will start retiring within the next decade.
—Jeanne Sahadi, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2025
Stern, 71, has also been long-rumored to be retiring after his decades-long career as a talk show host.
—Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 4 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
HawaiianMiles joins Atmos Rewards on October 1, officially retiring the legacy program.
—Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
JetBlue is retiring the E190s for more fuel-efficient planes with modern amenities.
—Zach Wichter, USA Today, 10 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
Jerry Rice Widely considered one of the greatest wide receivers of all time and one of the NFL's all-time leaders in catches, receiving yards and touchdowns, Rice, 62, has not slowed down since retiring from football in 2005.
—Stacy Lambe, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025
Stone Earle’s return to Abilene At no point in this voyage did Earle contemplate quitting, retiring or accept standing on the sidelines.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Sep. 2025
After retiring as a pro dancer on DWTS in 2023, Mark Ballas is now returning to the ballroom for season 34.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Sep. 2025
How Gen Xers’ accounts are doing Of the million-dollar-plus accounts, the majority (346,000) belonged to Gen Xers, the generation of people who will start retiring within the next decade.
—Jeanne Sahadi, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2025
Stern, 71, has also been long-rumored to be retiring after his decades-long career as a talk show host.
—Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 4 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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So much for the dawn of a new New England era, with no-nonsense Mike Vrabel as head coach and Josh McDaniels settling in as the new/old offensive coordinator.—
Steve Buckley,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
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Solomon had retired from a career in law enforcement, and was settling into a new routine, making time for exercise and hobbies, such as splitting wood on his farm.—
Allison Aubrey,
NPR,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In the 2024-25 NBA season, Josh, who serves as the Denver Nuggets’ CEO and team president, was instrumental in sacking head coach Michael Malone and general manager Calvin Booth.—
Dan Sheldon,
New York Times,
4 Sep. 2025
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The results also come on the heels of Qantas recently being hit with a record A$90 million penalty for illegally sacking 1,800 ground staff.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
28 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The 4% rule traditionally involves withdrawing 4% of a portfolio in the first year of retirement and then adjusting the rate in subsequent years for inflation.—
Lorie Konish,
CNBC,
9 Sep. 2025
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The reaction to this was dynamic, which for some meant withdrawing from opportunities and for others contributed to burnout and decisions to leave their jobs altogether.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Playmakers available, underused Through eight quarters of Fitch’s offense, the 49ers haven’t been shy to spread the ball around.—
Hunter Bailey,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Sep. 2025
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Maddie is a great vegetarian chef, but has always been too shy to cook in front of an audience.—
Jourdain Searles,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Earlier this year, Black celebrated the birth of another son, who was sleeping peacefully at home as Black recounted his story.—
Cara Anthony,
CNN Money,
11 Sep. 2025
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There is no headboard, but when placed against a wall or in a corner, there’s still plenty of space to lean and lounge when not sleeping.—
Erika Owen,
Architectural Digest,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Put frankly, dismissing intention has boxed the ivory tower into a corner for its ability to handle difficult conversations relating to religion.—
Matthew Mayhew,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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The singer defended Siwa and recounted her own experiences as a bisexual woman falling in love with a man after previously dismissing the idea.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Schools, churches, small shops that survived the devastating 2010 earthquake that killed over 300,000 are now a pile of rubble, part of the apocalyptic landscape left behind by the retreating forces that control almost all of Haiti’s capital.—
Johnny Fils-Aimé,
Miami Herald,
8 Sep. 2025
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Water is rapidly replacing ice along the coastal plain of southeastern Alaska, where glaciers are thinning and retreating, with meltwater forming lakes off of their fronts, NASA says.—
Soo Kim,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Retiring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retiring. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
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