reclusive
adjective
re·clu·sive
ri-ˈklü-siv 
-ziv
1
: seeking solitude : retiring from society
a reclusive neighbor
While Stephen King is far from reclusive, he doesn't spend much time promoting his horror-filled novels.—
Sarah Lyall
Sarah Lyall2
: marked by seclusion or retirement : solitary
… sit under the reclusive calm of the acacia tree.—H. E. Bates
H. E. Bates
reclusively
adverb
reclusiveness
noun
Examples of reclusive in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Last fall, the famously reclusive DiCaprio made a rare public appearance on Winslet's behalf to support Lee, her passion project biopic of the British WWII photographer Lee Miller.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Dec. 2025
To editors of the time, the most marketable image of Dickinson the poet was that of the eccentric, reclusive, asexual woman in white.
—Via Chronicle Books, Literary Hub, 11 Dec. 2025
Produced by two-time Oscar winner Quentin Tarantino and Jack Auen, The Projectionist follows a reclusive projectionist who is haunted by a wrongful conviction and the loss of his wife.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 9 Dec. 2025
Neighbors who spoke to CNN, most of whom asked not to be named due to the sensitivity of the case, described Cole as a reclusive presence.
—Hannah Rabinowitz, CNN Money, 5 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reclusive
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Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Dec. 2025
To editors of the time, the most marketable image of Dickinson the poet was that of the eccentric, reclusive, asexual woman in white.
—Via Chronicle Books, Literary Hub, 11 Dec. 2025
Produced by two-time Oscar winner Quentin Tarantino and Jack Auen, The Projectionist follows a reclusive projectionist who is haunted by a wrongful conviction and the loss of his wife.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 9 Dec. 2025
Neighbors who spoke to CNN, most of whom asked not to be named due to the sensitivity of the case, described Cole as a reclusive presence.
—Hannah Rabinowitz, CNN Money, 5 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reclusive
Cite this Entry
“Reclusive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reclusive. Accessed 19 Dec. 2025.
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