reclusive

adjective

re·​clu·​sive ri-ˈklü-siv How to pronounce reclusive (audio)
-ziv
Synonyms of reclusivenext
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In typical fashion, Danes left it on all the floor in portraying a reclusive author who suspects her developer neighbor (Matthew Rhys) of misdeeds. Carla Meyer, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2026 The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo centers on reclusive, iconic Hollywood starlet Evelyn Hugo, who enlists unknown reporter Monique Grant to write her tell-all book, which will chronicle her life story and rise to fame during the golden age of Hollywood. Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 1 June 2026 There’s long been this narrative of you and Lana as famously, notoriously reclusive. Nick Newman, IndieWire, 1 June 2026 The Christophers Steven Soderbergh, 100 minutes Sir Ian McKellen stars as Julian Sklar, a reclusive painter who started a series in the ’90s known as The Christophers. Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 27 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for reclusive

Word History

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of reclusive was in 1600

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Cite this Entry

“Reclusive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reclusive. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.

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