retiring
- that retires.
- withdrawing from contact with others; reserved; shy.
Origin of retiring
Synonyms for retiring
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comretire
- to withdraw, or go away or apart, to a place of privacy, shelter, or seclusion: He retired to his study.
- to go to bed: He retired at midnight.
- to withdraw from office, business, or active life, usually because of age: to retire at the age of sixty.
- to fall back or retreat in an orderly fashion and according to plan, as from battle, an untenable position, danger, etc.
- to withdraw or remove oneself: After announcing the guests, the butler retired.
- to withdraw from circulation by taking up and paying, as bonds, bills, etc.; redeem.
- to withdraw or lead back (troops, ships, etc.), as from battle or danger; retreat.
- to remove from active service or the usual field of activity, as an army officer or business executive.
- to withdraw (a machine, ship, etc.) permanently from its normal service, usually for scrapping; take out of use.
- Sports. to put out (a batter, side, etc.).
- a place of withdrawal; retreat: a cool retire from summer's heat.
- retirement or withdrawal, as from worldly matters or the company of others.
Origin of retire
Synonyms for retire
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comSynonym study
Related Words for retiring
reserved, humble, quiet, withdrawn, shrinking, restrained, backward, bashful, coy, demure, diffident, meek, modest, recessive, reclusive, reticent, timid, timorous, unassuming, unsociableExamples from the Web for retiring
Contemporary Examples of retiring
I was thinking about retiring from modeling, but spending that time with them rekindled that bug.
Pope Francis said he would definitely consider stepping down, saying his predecessor has opened the door to retiring.
Named after Sen. Tom Harkin, the Iowa Democrat who is retiring in January, the rule is to “always attack and never defend.”
Even Slayer frontman Tom Araya announced in 2010 he was retiring his signature helicopter and figure-eight style thrashing.
Clinton though did appear via video at the state party dinner, which was being held in tribute to retiring Sen. Tom Harkin.
Historical Examples of retiring
"Most willingly," said Virginia, retiring as Lady Delacour advanced.
Tales And Novels, Volume 3 (of 10)Maria Edgeworth
I took no notice: but on her retiring, I found my cloaths were not in the usual order.
Clarissa, Volume 2 (of 9)Samuel Richardson
What came before the retiring could have been but a prelude.
It Happened in EgyptC. N. Williamson
He remained reserved, retiring, inconspicuous, and puzzling to our understanding.
The Fortune HunterLouis Joseph Vance
Consequently,' said the other gentleman, retiring on his main position, 'why Row?'
Little DorritCharles Dickens
retiring
- shunning contact with others; shy; reserved
retire
- (also tr) to give up or to cause (a person) to give up his work, a post, etc, esp on reaching pensionable age (in Britain and Australia usually 65 for men, 60 for women)
- to go away, as into seclusion, for recuperation, etc
- to go to bed
- to recede or disappearthe sun retired behind the clouds
- to withdraw from a sporting contest, esp because of injury
- (also tr) to pull back (troops, etc) from battle or an exposed position or (of troops, etc) to fall back
- (tr)
- to remove (bills, bonds, shares, etc) from circulation by taking them up and paying for them
- to remove (money) from circulation
Word Origin for retire
Word Origin and History for retiring
1580s, "departing, retreating," present participle adjective from retire (v.). Also "fond of retiring, disposed to seclusion," hence "unobtrusive, modest, subdued" (1766).
retire
1530s, of armies, "to retreat," from Middle French retirer "to withdraw (something)," from re- "back" (see re-) + Old French tirer "to draw" (see tirade). Related: Retired; retiring.
Meaning "to withdraw" to some place, especially for the sake of privacy, is recorded from 1530s; sense of "leave an occupation" first attested 1640s (implied in retirement). Meaning "to leave company and go to bed" is from 1660s. Transitive sense is from 1540s, originally "withdraw, lead back" (troops, etc.); meaning "to remove from active service" is from 1680s. Baseball sense of "to put out" is recorded from 1874.