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
That Benjamin has seemed a reclusive mystery since OutKast’s heyday says more about our expectations for the famous, for whom performative oversharing is now part of any new-release cycle, than the choices he’s made.
—Hua Hsu, The New Yorker, 21 Nov. 2023
Emma Corrin plays a Gen-Z Sherlock Holmes type, Clive Owen is a reclusive billionaire, and an icy, remote setting means everyone has to tramp around in the snow looking for clues while their eyes dart at one another with suspicion.
—James Grebey, Vulture, 17 Nov. 2023
And in the present, reclusive tech billionaire Andy (Clive Owen) invites Darby to participate in a retreat at a hotel located deep in the frozen wilderness of Iceland.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 14 Nov. 2023
Fascinated by Darby’s book, Andy Ronson (a glowering Clive Owen), a mega-billionaire and reclusive tech genius, invites the pink-haired amateur detective to a remote resort where she is set to mix and mingle with some of the greatest minds from varied industries.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 13 Nov. 2023
The reclusive songwriter wasn’t in attendance at the CMA Awards (held in Nashville at the Bridgestone Arena), but sent a prepared statement read by presenter Sara Evans.
—Jonathan Bernstein, Rolling Stone, 9 Nov. 2023
North Korea’s recent closing of its diplomatic missions is a sign that the reclusive country is struggling to make money overseas because of international sanctions, South Korea’s unification ministry said on Tuesday.
—Reuters, NBC News, 1 Nov. 2023
Matt Drudge, the reclusive conservative journalist who made his fortune through link aggregation and effective use of caps lock, has listed his Miami home for $2.9 million.
—Curbed, 20 Oct. 2023
King is charged with eight counts, according to the charging sheet, including desertion in connection with his dash into North Korea, one of the world’s most reclusive countries.
—Phil Helsel, NBC News, 20 Oct. 2023
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Hua Hsu, The New Yorker, 21 Nov. 2023
Emma Corrin plays a Gen-Z Sherlock Holmes type, Clive Owen is a reclusive billionaire, and an icy, remote setting means everyone has to tramp around in the snow looking for clues while their eyes dart at one another with suspicion.
—James Grebey, Vulture, 17 Nov. 2023
And in the present, reclusive tech billionaire Andy (Clive Owen) invites Darby to participate in a retreat at a hotel located deep in the frozen wilderness of Iceland.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 14 Nov. 2023
Fascinated by Darby’s book, Andy Ronson (a glowering Clive Owen), a mega-billionaire and reclusive tech genius, invites the pink-haired amateur detective to a remote resort where she is set to mix and mingle with some of the greatest minds from varied industries.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 13 Nov. 2023
The reclusive songwriter wasn’t in attendance at the CMA Awards (held in Nashville at the Bridgestone Arena), but sent a prepared statement read by presenter Sara Evans.
—Jonathan Bernstein, Rolling Stone, 9 Nov. 2023
North Korea’s recent closing of its diplomatic missions is a sign that the reclusive country is struggling to make money overseas because of international sanctions, South Korea’s unification ministry said on Tuesday.
—Reuters, NBC News, 1 Nov. 2023
Matt Drudge, the reclusive conservative journalist who made his fortune through link aggregation and effective use of caps lock, has listed his Miami home for $2.9 million.
—Curbed, 20 Oct. 2023
King is charged with eight counts, according to the charging sheet, including desertion in connection with his dash into North Korea, one of the world’s most reclusive countries.
—Phil Helsel, NBC News, 20 Oct. 2023
See More
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
Dictionary Entries Near reclusive
Cite this Entry
“Reclusive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reclusive. Accessed 1 Dec. 2023.
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