as in withdrawn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, 28 Apr. 2026
Since retiring in 2022, she's been an outspoken advocate for mothers in professional sports and beyond.
—Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 28 Apr. 2026
Detmers was breezing at that point, retiring all nine Royals hitters in the first three innings, on just 41 pitches.
—Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 27 Apr. 2026
The Hall of Fame running back, 56, played in the NFL for 15 seasons, won three Super Bowls with the Dallas Cowboys and broke several records before retiring in 2004.
—Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 27 Apr. 2026
Pat Riley is not retiring, resigning or — here’s the relevant point — retreating.
—Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 27 Apr. 2026
Meatball himself is retiring due to ill health — the voters got sick of him.
—Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 26 Apr. 2026
Topal is considering retiring this year.
—Audrey Pachuta, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
Their late-season surge was fueled by veteran acquisitions, surprising breakout performances, and the team’s collective desire to give retiring captain Anze Kopitar one final push in his last season.
—Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 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
Castillo needed 30 pitches to get out of the inning, but limited the damage by retiring Buxton on a pop fly, leaving the bases loaded.
—CBS News, 28 Apr. 2026
Since retiring in 2022, she's been an outspoken advocate for mothers in professional sports and beyond.
—Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 28 Apr. 2026
Detmers was breezing at that point, retiring all nine Royals hitters in the first three innings, on just 41 pitches.
—Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 27 Apr. 2026
The Hall of Fame running back, 56, played in the NFL for 15 seasons, won three Super Bowls with the Dallas Cowboys and broke several records before retiring in 2004.
—Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 27 Apr. 2026
Pat Riley is not retiring, resigning or — here’s the relevant point — retreating.
—Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 27 Apr. 2026
Meatball himself is retiring due to ill health — the voters got sick of him.
—Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 26 Apr. 2026
Topal is considering retiring this year.
—Audrey Pachuta, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
Their late-season surge was fueled by veteran acquisitions, surprising breakout performances, and the team’s collective desire to give retiring captain Anze Kopitar one final push in his last season.
—Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 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
-
Baltimore sues pharmaceutical companies In 208, Baltimore sued several drug makers and pharmaceutical companies, often settling before reaching a trial.—
JT Moodee Lockman,
CBS News,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Notify creditors and allow time for claims to be filed before settling debts.—
Nancy Ashburn,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
If Chelsea thought their recent run of losses had been painful enough, Sunday could present a new nadir if Leeds United highlight how sacking Rosenior won’t fix anything by itself.—
Graham Ruthven,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
-
John Franklin-Myers, who loved talking, sacking and eating Uncrustables, left as a free agent to the Titans.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Since 2016, federal officials allege, Meade has been trying to avoid paying the tax obligation through a number of tactics, which include withdrawing large sums of cash and purchasing cashier’s checks from his business accounts.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Legitimate companies do not walk you through withdrawing cash, using crypto ATMs or buying gold to solve a problem.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Soto finished a triple shy of the cycle.—
James O'Connell,
New York Daily News,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The contest, which awards half of the pot to a winner and donates the other half to charity after expenses, has sold just shy of $350 million (C$472 million) in tickets since 2001, resulting in about $175 million (C$236 million) in prizes for residents of Alberta.—
Justin Birnbaum,
Sportico.com,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In another, Hurst snapped a picture of a man sleeping rough on a slab of cardboard, one arm shielding his eyes from the sun, and the other pulling up his shirt suggestively.—
Chris Wiley,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Once constructed, the sleeping cabin program will provide wrap-around services, meals and case management services to residents with the goal of transitioning them into permanent housing.—
Hannah Elsmore,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Federal lawyers said judges made mistakes in dismissing the cases by arguing the Civil Rights Act granted the attorney general access to local voting records.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Quit dismissing them as uneducated.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
On the arm of the sofa, where he had been seated just minutes before retreating into his bedroom for a few minutes of shut-eye, was a block of brown and white ice.—
Hannah Fry,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Large investors flip to net sellers Larger investors are already retreating from the single-family market.—
Samantha Delouya,
CNN Money,
13 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Retiring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retiring. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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