as in withdrawn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
-
Parents report that many children stop eating, lose weight and become withdrawn.—
Mike Hixenbaugh,
NBC news,
6 Feb. 2026
-
The Flynns’ pompous neighbor, Jim Doherty, a divorcé with a withdrawn, unpleasant son, encourages Catherine’s artistic rebirth.—
Hannah Gold,
New Yorker,
21 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The snakes are typically shy around bigger animals and instead feed on mice and other rodents.—
Brianna Taylor,
Sacbee.com,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Australians have never been shy asking for it.—
Martha Ross,
Mercury News,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Lauer was the lone holdout, waiting until a few weeks before trial to admit guilt.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
10 Mar. 2026
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The lone camera is a single round lens that protrudes from the upper-left corner of the rear panel.—
Eric Zeman,
PC Magazine,
9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
An artist’s life is actually quite introverted.—
Rachel Handler,
Vulture,
27 Feb. 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 16 Mar. 2026.
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