as in withdrawn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
Lillian Karabaic, NPR, 9 Jan. 2026
The school will hold a ceremony retiring her jersey at halftime of the boys’ basketball game between Sierra Canyon and Sherman Oaks Notre Dame.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026
After retiring in 2015, Leonhard returned to his alma mater, Wisconsin, to be the defensive backs coach in 2016 and defensive coordinator for the Badgers from 2017 to 2022.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Jan. 2026
Local governments will also weigh whether to contribute some of their own portion of sales tax growth to retiring stadium debt.
—Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 8 Jan. 2026
Since retiring from competitive skating, Lipinski has built a successful career as a figure skating analyst and commentator for NBC Sports.
—Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026
Taking over the space formerly occupied by Barbonzai (whose owners are retiring), Earlybird aims to fill a niche at the Lab’s culinary ecosystem.
—Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 8 Jan. 2026
After retiring from the service, Estrada worked as a consultant at various security and defense firms.
—Janice Neumann, Chicago Tribune, 8 Jan. 2026
Donald Cragen, who led the Special Victims Unit for the show's first 15 seasons before retiring.
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Jan. 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.
—Verb
The reigning world champion returned to competitive skating last season with a bang after retiring following the 2022 Beijing Olympics.
—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.—
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Unfortunately, further discussions were heated, with no resolve, just more withdrawn behavior while the communications continued.—
Verb
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That can include lowering interest rates, reducing monthly payments, extending repayment timelines or, in some cases, settling for less than the full amount owed.—
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The warmth also helps any contaminants drain out, rather than settling at the bottom of cold oil.—
Verb
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Luckily for the Bears, the Packers have allowed nearly 100 more rushing yards per game without Parsons, in addition to sacking quarterbacks less than half as often.—
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The Seahawks harassed Purdy throughout the night, sacking him three times and hitting him eight more.—
Verb
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But again, no school can prevent a player from withdrawing and enrolling elsewhere.—
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With his previous attorney withdrawing from the case, arraignment was postponed Wednesday for Rob Reiner’s youngest son, who is charged with murdering the famed filmmaker and his photographer wife Michele in their Brentwood home.—
Adjective
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Running back Ryan Walters was just shy of 100 yards picking up 99 on 16 carries.—
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Now McCaffrey is four yards shy of reaching 600 rushing yards and joining a club with Marshall Faulk and Brian Westbrook as the only NFL players with four seasons of 600-plus yards both rushing and receiving.—
Verb
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Melatonin also promoted sleep in the animals and scientists observed them sleeping at night and taking midday naps.—
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Those years — nights, sometimes weeks, sleeping outdoors — would later inform the script of Being Charlie, the semi-autobiographical film he co-wrote.—
Verb
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Confidence can tip into defensiveness, so your challenge has a lot to do with asserting boundaries without emotional withdrawal and honoring your needs without dismissing others.—
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The president spoke little about democracy in Venezuela, dismissing a potential role for its longstanding democratic opposition in running the country in the immediate aftermath of the operation.—
Verb
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At the opening, Natalie, bored and filled with loathing for her parents, flees her family home by retreating into imaginary worlds of vivid, eroticized violence.—
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Even with state and federal backing, developers are retreating and selling properties, signaling that grassroots activism is fundamentally reshaping Big Tech’s expansion strategy.—
Cite this Entry
“Retiring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retiring. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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