retiring

[ ri-tahyuhr-ing ]

/ rɪˈtaɪər ɪŋ /

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See synonyms for retiring on Thesaurus.com

adjective

that retires.

withdrawing from contact with others; reserved; shy.

OTHER WORDS FOR retiring

2 diffident, bashful, timid.

See synonyms for retiring on Thesaurus.com

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CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

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Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of retiring

First recorded in 1540–50; retire + -ing²

OTHER WORDS FROM retiring

re·tir·ing·ly, adverbre·tir·ing·ness, nounnon·re·tir·ing, adjectiveun·re·tir·ing, adjective

Words nearby retiring

retirement, retirement community, retirement pension, retirement plan, retirement relief, retiring, retool, retorsion, retort, retortion, retouch

How to use retiring in a sentence

There are fewer signs, though, that the other four non-retiring moderates might be vulnerable in a primary.
What Drove 9 Moderate House Democrats To Hold Up Their Party’s Agenda?|Nathaniel Rakich (nathaniel.rakich@fivethirtyeight.com)|August 30, 2021|FiveThirtyEight
I was thinking about retiring from modeling, but spending that time with them rekindled that bug.
Porn Stars on the Year in Porn: Drone Erotica, Belle Knox, and Wild Sex|Aurora Snow|December 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He had been a Union carpenter for 30 years before retiring and devoting himself to nature photography.
He Faces Jail for Rescuing Baby Eagles|Michael Daly|November 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
That said, this particularly retiring writer has received a poisonous gift from the Nobel committee.
Nobel Prize Winner Modiano’s Magical Musical Prose About Paris|Pierre Assouline|October 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Pope Francis said he would definitely consider stepping down, saying his predecessor has opened the door to retiring.
Will There Soon Be Three Living Popes?|Barbie Latza Nadeau|August 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Maupin is running to replace retiring Rep. Ed Pastor in the August 26 primary.
Strippers for Jesus|Olivia Nuzzi|July 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
There are some folk in this country, you know, who manifest a very retiring disposition at times.
Raw Gold|Bertrand W. Sinclair
And, incidentally, to encourage retiring and diffident lady interviewers.
Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 107, November 3, 1894|Various
Bruce probably kept him under observation, retiring before him beyond the Forth, and not attempting to bar his progress to Perth.
King Robert the Bruce|A. F. Murison
Now, there cant be anything much more retiring than the turtleor me.
The Girls of Central High on the Stage|Gertrude W. Morrison
In his fits of resentful sullenness, he hinted an intention of retiring from the Court.
The History of England from the Accession of James II.|Thomas Babington Macaulay

British Dictionary definitions for retiring

retiring

/ (rɪˈtaɪərɪŋ) /

adjective

shunning contact with others; shy; reserved

Derived forms of retiring

retiringly, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

retiring

OTHER WORDS FOR retiring

Origin of retiring

OTHER WORDS FROM retiring

Words nearby retiring

Words related to retiring

How to use retiring in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for retiring

Derived forms of retiring