reclusive

adjective re·clu·sive \ ri-ˈklü-siv , -ziv \

|Updated on: 17 Jul 2018

Definition of reclusive

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

Recent Examples of reclusive from the Web

Rob Kardashian and Blac Chyna The reclusive Kardashian brother fell for social media star Blac Chyna.

— julius young, Fox News, "Ariana Grande and Pete Davidson aren't alone: Celebrity couples that got engaged quickly," 10 July 2018
Ditko's impact on Marvel Comics may only be rivaled by his reclusive nature in later years.

— sam machkovech, Ars Technica, "Marvel Comics legend, Spider-Man co-creator Steve Ditko found dead at 90," 7 July 2018
He was known as a reclusive figure, who rarely provided interviews, sign autographs, or appeared in public.

— andrew liptak, The Verge, "Comic artist Steve Ditko, the co-creator of Spider-Man and Doctor Strange, has died," 7 July 2018
Especially for a designer who's reclusive ways have made him more of an industry shadow than an industry star?

— refinery29.com, "Hedi Slimane's New Céline Is Almost Here," 5 July 2018
The meeting would bring together Ethiopia's reformist new prime minister, who took office in April, and the president of one of the world's most reclusive nations.

— elias meseret, Fox News, "Ethiopia, Eritrea leaders to meet 'soon' in surprising thaw," 28 June 2018
The meeting would bring together Ethiopia’s reformist new prime minister, who took office in April, and the president of one of the world’s most reclusive nations.

— Washington Post, "Ethiopia, Eritrea leaders to meet ‘soon’ in surprising thaw," 28 June 2018
And so, last summer, police raided the reclusive ministry’s concrete-walled compound in Fence Lake looking for Enoch, but instead found his grave — as well as evidence of multiple serious crimes.

— chris harris, PEOPLE.com, "Police Go Looking for Missing Boy in Cult's Compound and Allegedly Uncover Sex Abuse, Slave Labor," 28 June 2018
President Donald Trump boasted Monday of the support of a pop-culture figure, this time the reclusive art-house director David Lynch.

— eli rosenberg, The Seattle Times, "Trump cites ‘Twin Peaks’ director David Lynch at South Carolina rally," 26 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'reclusive.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of reclusive

1600

in the meaning defined at sense 2

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