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
Carol, a reclusive and disgruntled bestselling romantasy author, exhorts her reticent audience of five immune English speakers to reclaim human agency against the milquetoast, obsequious blob and join her in a quest to reverse the happiness apocalypse.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 8 Nov. 2025
The piece Lee publishes isn’t a Pulitzer-winning takedown, but a posthumous profile of the reclusive, kind-hearted Dale, a man who shares Dale’s love of crime writers like Jim Thompson and instinctive empathy for underdogs.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 5 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
In this magical hotel in the Swiss Alps, reclusive art appraiser Eve meets a man from another century who seems oddly familiar.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reclusive
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Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 8 Nov. 2025
The piece Lee publishes isn’t a Pulitzer-winning takedown, but a posthumous profile of the reclusive, kind-hearted Dale, a man who shares Dale’s love of crime writers like Jim Thompson and instinctive empathy for underdogs.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 5 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
In this magical hotel in the Swiss Alps, reclusive art appraiser Eve meets a man from another century who seems oddly familiar.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 31 Oct. 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 12 Nov. 2025.
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