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
Great Big Beautiful Life follows two rival writers, Alice Scott and Hayden Anderson who are each given a one-month trial run to write the biography of a reclusive former socialite, Margaret Ives, per a synopsis.
—Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 13 Nov. 2025
The limited series co-stars Matthew Rhys as Nile Jarvis, a reclusive New York real estate heir widely suspected of murdering his first wife who decides to unburden himself to a suspicious interlocutor.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 13 Nov. 2025
Described as Taxi Driver for the internet age, Iconoclast follows a reclusive young man whose dangerous obsession with a live-streaming influencer increasingly erodes his grip on reality.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 12 Nov. 2025
The story centers on protagonist Matilda, who, after receiving a message from the father she’s never met — reclusive artist Kingsley Cello — ventures to spend the summer at his seaside home, Hidden Beach.
—Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 4 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reclusive
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.
Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 13 Nov. 2025
The limited series co-stars Matthew Rhys as Nile Jarvis, a reclusive New York real estate heir widely suspected of murdering his first wife who decides to unburden himself to a suspicious interlocutor.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 13 Nov. 2025
Described as Taxi Driver for the internet age, Iconoclast follows a reclusive young man whose dangerous obsession with a live-streaming influencer increasingly erodes his grip on reality.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 12 Nov. 2025
The story centers on protagonist Matilda, who, after receiving a message from the father she’s never met — reclusive artist Kingsley Cello — ventures to spend the summer at his seaside home, Hidden Beach.
—Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 4 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reclusive
Cite this Entry
“Reclusive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reclusive. Accessed 19 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share