as in withdrawn
not comfortable around people
a recessive genius who was most comfortable working alone in his chemistry lab
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Recent Examples of recessive
As leaders go, Dynevor (Bridgerton) is recessive and inscrutable, at least in the family get-togethers that form the narrative.
—
Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 27 Oct. 2025
Tucker Langford of Kansas City city suffers from recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB), a painful recessive condition which causes peeling, blistering skin, per local news outlets KSHB, KMBC and the Kansas City Star.
—Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025
Further examinations revealed that the golden retriever TNNI3 mutation is autosomal recessive.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 3 Sep. 2025
Could the pigmentation be the result of a spontaneous genetic mutation affecting pigment-producing cells, or might it be inherited through a recessive trait that only rarely appears?
—Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for recessive
Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 27 Oct. 2025
Tucker Langford of Kansas City city suffers from recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB), a painful recessive condition which causes peeling, blistering skin, per local news outlets KSHB, KMBC and the Kansas City Star.
—Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025
Further examinations revealed that the golden retriever TNNI3 mutation is autosomal recessive.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 3 Sep. 2025
Could the pigmentation be the result of a spontaneous genetic mutation affecting pigment-producing cells, or might it be inherited through a recessive trait that only rarely appears?
—Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for recessive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for recessive
Adjective
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Parents report that many children stop eating, lose weight and become withdrawn.—
Mike Hixenbaugh,
NBC news,
6 Feb. 2026
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Along the way, Babilonia matured from the shy withdrawn child who refused to hold a boy’s hand into a bold, strong and confident woman.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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In virtually staged listing photos, the floorboards are black and polished, the walls are white, and, in lieu of a wall dividing the bedroom from the living and dining, there are custom double-sided bookshelves just shy of the roughly 13-foot ceiling.—
Matthew Sedacca,
Curbed,
26 Mar. 2026
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The pair were on their way to Kennedy’s cousin Rory’s wedding when his plane crashed off of Martha’s Vineyard on the evening of Friday, July 16, 1999, killing all three passengers on board instantly — roughly two months shy of the couple’s third wedding anniversary.—
Dan Heching,
CNN Money,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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That had Powell playing off the bench for the third time in his past four appearances, his lone appearances as a reserve as a member of the Heat.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
24 Mar. 2026
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Dixon produced 20 tackles and six pass breakups in his lone campaign with the Tar Heels.—
Mike Kaye
March 24,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Murder by Numbers is an entertainingly nasty thriller about two high-schoolers, popular Richard (Gosling) and introverted Justin (Michael Pitt), who plan the perfect murder and frame a local drug dealer for it.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
20 Mar. 2026
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Directed by Lynne Ramsay, the movie follows Joe (Joaquin Phoenix), an introverted loner who rescues women who find themselves in precarious positions.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Recessive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recessive. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.
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