as in withdrawn
not comfortable around people
a recessive genius who was most comfortable working alone in his chemistry lab
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Recent Examples of recessive
For example, Bella Hadid was photographed yesterday afternoon strolling through New York in a button-down stretch dress, Coach’s Empire Carryall Bag 34, and knee-high boots featuring a recessive heel not unlike those popularised in Versailles.
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Daniel Rodgers, Vogue, 26 Mar. 2025
In other projects, like the harrowing true-crime drama Unbelievable (a high-water mark for Netflix) or even amid the high jinks of Booksmart, Dever has shown herself to be a gifted and recessive actress, able to draw an audience in with a sort of quiet focus.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 5 Feb. 2025
One of the animals is black, or melanistic — an uncommon trait caused by recessive genes, which is estimated to be present in about 1 in 10 leopards, according to Britannica.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 18 Feb. 2025
Albinism—a recessive trait that both parents must carry to guarantee their offspring have the gene—usually comes with an inherent evolutionary handicap, as the lack of pigment in their eyes increases glare from the sun, temporarily blinding the animals.
—Michelle Mastro, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for recessive
Daniel Rodgers, Vogue, 26 Mar. 2025
In other projects, like the harrowing true-crime drama Unbelievable (a high-water mark for Netflix) or even amid the high jinks of Booksmart, Dever has shown herself to be a gifted and recessive actress, able to draw an audience in with a sort of quiet focus.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 5 Feb. 2025
One of the animals is black, or melanistic — an uncommon trait caused by recessive genes, which is estimated to be present in about 1 in 10 leopards, according to Britannica.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 18 Feb. 2025
Albinism—a recessive trait that both parents must carry to guarantee their offspring have the gene—usually comes with an inherent evolutionary handicap, as the lack of pigment in their eyes increases glare from the sun, temporarily blinding the animals.
—Michelle Mastro, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for recessive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for recessive
Adjective
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Hayk, a withdrawn and aloof child, lives on a farm with his aunt Narine and gets mocked and called strange by others.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
4 June 2025
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For children, especially, these stressors can quickly lead to meltdowns or withdrawn behavior.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
3 June 2025
Adjective
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Trump, who has never been shy about getting even with his enemies, even turned to the Justice Department.—
Barnini Chakraborty,
The Washington Examiner,
15 June 2025
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Clark finished with 32 points, three shy of her career high.—
Ben Pickman,
New York Times,
15 June 2025
Adjective
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The Saudis have also won their lone Gold Cup match so far, so this is for top spot in the group.—
Chris Branch,
New York Times,
19 June 2025
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The lone returnee who played regularly for last season’s NCAA Tournament team is junior guard Aidan Burke.—
Ivan Carter,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 June 2025
Adjective
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Or that their introverted self prefers a quiet night in over a crowded bar.—
Jenna Ryu,
SELF,
5 June 2025
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Semler said Milly also was more introverted than Pearl, who’s traveled to Italy for a TV show and is in demand as an influencer.—
Stephen Hudak,
The Orlando Sentinel,
24 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Recessive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recessive. Accessed 26 Jun. 2025.
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