reclusive

adjective

re·​clu·​sive ri-ˈklü-siv How to pronounce reclusive (audio)
-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
2
: marked by seclusion or retirement : solitary
… sit under the reclusive calm of the acacia tree.H. E. Bates
reclusively adverb
reclusiveness noun

Examples of reclusive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Since the start of this year, the reclusive billionaire has donated $140 million to the pro-Trump PAC. Siladitya Ray, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024 The New Canaan estate, listed for $25.5 million by style mavens Reed and Delphine Krakoff, was long owned but never occupied by the late reclusive heiress Huguette Clark. Mark David, Robb Report, 18 Oct. 2024 The house, designed for the reclusive mid-century novelist and intellectual Curzio Malaparte, has since been closed to the public. Nathan Heller, Vogue, 17 Oct. 2024 Here’s the official description: In a remote northern village, a young girl, Yuri, is raised to never go outside after dark and to fear the reclusive forest creatures known as the ochi. Andrew Webster, The Verge, 16 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for reclusive 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'reclusive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of reclusive was in 1600

Dictionary Entries Near reclusive

Cite this Entry

“Reclusive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reclusive. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

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