RETIRING Synonyms: 165 Similar and Opposite Words

retiring 1 of 2

adjective

ri-ˈtī(-ə)r-iŋ

Definition of retiring

as in withdrawn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

retiring

2 of 2

verb

present participle of retire

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

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

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of retiring

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

The sellers, who are retiring, bought the retail space from The Arlington’s original developers back in 2007, Walker said. — Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 28 Aug. 2026 After retiring the first batter, Palencia, in a scary moment, hit the Diamondbacks’ Jordan Lawlar in the head with his pitch. — Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026 The handlers may represent rival schools, but those rivalries tend to stop at the kennel, pasture or habitat gate, especially when another mascot is sick, retiring or in need of support. — Lauren Paige Richeson, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026 Carroll, an executive from ENGIE North America, will replace Lisa Drake, who is retiring after 32 years at Ford. — Jamie L. Lareau, Freep.com, 27 Aug. 2026 Ridley Scott does not seem to be thinking of retiring anytime soon. — Pat Saperstein, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026 Free agents The crop of available free agents is small, with many recently retiring, considering retirement or dealing with injuries. — Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026 Cierria Davison took a leap of faith to start Over the Top after retiring early from Walmart during the pandemic. — Leondra Head, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026 More American women are retiring solo than ever before and redefining what financial independence looks like. — Angie O’Leary, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for retiring

Adjective

In an era of ball-to-feet No 10s and withdrawn strikers, Welbeck stays high up the pitch, runs the channels and occupies defenders.

— Liam Tharme, New York Times, 27 July 2026
The withdrawn earnings are taxed as ordinary income, the Treasury said.

— Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 11 July 2026

Definition of withdrawn

Verb

Brighton could progress the ball into Chelsea’s third and then settle into possession, becoming comfortable enough to maintain it, with the Chelsea players settling into a block.

— Jon Mackenzie, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Average daily volume across US prediction markets reached nearly $2 billion in July, settling everything from Fed decisions to World Cup outcomes to Congressional votes.

— Semafor Events, semafor.com, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of settling

Verb

Whereas owners previously diffused negative situations by sacking a head coach, changing a sporting director or someone prominent within the department can now have a similar effect.

— Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
The museum replaced him with Sasha Suda, hiring her away from the National Gallery of Canada before sacking her following a disastrous rebrand and replacing her with Weiss, a former president of New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art.

— News Desk, Artforum, 29 July 2026

Definition of sacking

Verb

During this period, Obayuwana allegedly tried to cash at least three Treasury tax refund checks worth $382,109 and was successful in cashing one, withdrawing $229,109, federal authorities allege.

— Stacy Perman, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
Mementum is trying to run from that fight by withdrawing its letter.

— Dominic Patten, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of withdrawing

Adjective

Other performers weren’t shy about sharing their political opinions with the world.

— Michael Collins, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
Bournemouth’s ‘executive’ section last year hit that milestone but appears to have been unavailable for this season, taking their top prices just shy of four figures.

— Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of shy

Verb

Nothing will keep you from sleeping or distract you from studying like itchy bug bites or the constant sneezing and drippy nose of seasonal allergies.

— Dr. Jill Grimes, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026
After sleeping on a bus bench and a few trips to the hospital, Lugo landed at Holliday's Helping Hands, or HHH, a network of interim housing facilities started by nurse practitioner Katina Holliday.

— Rina Nakano, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of sleeping

Verb

William Roberson Anyone dismissing the Slingshot (in any form) on practicality grounds is missing the point by a light year or two - the Slingshot makes a Miata seem like a spacious minivan.

— William Roberson, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
She was especially hurt that some of the people who criticized Cox most harshly, dismissing him as craven and disingenuous, were those who had the closest relationships with him.

— McKay Coppins, The Atlantic, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of dismissing

Verb

Stepping into the public sphere rather than retreating became both a survival strategy and a refuge—an assertion of political and artistic self-determination.

— Elisa R. Linn, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026
The player reported that the man had opened a knife and moved toward him before retreating into his room.

— Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026