reclusive

adjective

re·​clu·​sive ri-ˈklü-siv How to pronounce reclusive (audio)
-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
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.
Farmer will be hoping for more Ring alerts from his reclusive neighbor in the not-too-distant future. Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 July 2025 Analysts say the opening of this luxury resort shows that Pyongyang is pursuing economic prosperity as well as - not instead of - military ambitions and reclusive dictatorship. Se Eun Gong, NPR, 5 July 2025 There, the two compete for the chance to tell the larger-than-life story of the reclusive heiress Margaret Ives, a mysterious woman who has more than a couple secrets up her sleeve. Kaycee Sloan, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025 Written and directed by documentarian Brian Tetsuro Ivie (Emanuel) in his narrative directorial debut, the film tells the story of an impulsive young woman and a reclusive older man who launch on a poignant cross‑country road trip. Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 26 June 2025 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 12 Jul. 2025.

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