recluse 1 of 2

as in hermit
a person who lives away from others he was sick of cities and crowds, so he decided to go live by himself in the woods as a recluse

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

recluse

2 of 2

adjective

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of recluse
Adjective
Dylan earned the reputation of a recluse despite a lifetime of routinely touring the country and performing before thousands of people. Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 15 May 2025 Since the band broke up in 2011, Meg White, its drummer, has become one the great recluses of 21st-century pop, rarely seen in public and declining all interview requests — which would make any possible appearance by her a major coup for the Rock Hall. Ben Sisario, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025 In his report, Adams found no evidence to suggest that the two-time Oscar winner spent his final years as a recluse in his home in a gated community, guarded by his protective younger second wife. Martha Ross, Mercury News, 2 Apr. 2025 The recluse of 30 years comes out of hibernation and emerges with a new album that fires up more brain-dead devotion and fawning. Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 13 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for recluse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for recluse
Noun
  • Later, in 1254, Pope Alexander IV included other groups of hermits in the order, known as the Grand Union.
    Joanne M. Pierce, The Conversation, 27 May 2025
  • The Asian hermit spider’s unique adaptation might seem strange to some and brilliant to others.
    Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • There were a number of memorable characters in 28 Years Later, such as the reclusive Dr. Kelson (Ralph Fiennes), adventurous 12-year-old Spike (Alfie Williams) and the mysterious cult leader Jimmy (Jack O’Connell), who swoops in at the end.
    Aaron Couch, HollywoodReporter, 24 June 2025
Adjective
  • Ask Amy: My unsociable neighbor doesn't know about me and his wife.
    Bay Area News Group, The Mercury News, 2 June 2024
  • To drink too much would be inexcusable; to drink too little would be unsociable.
    Erika Page, The Christian Science Monitor, 2 Feb. 2024

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Recluse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recluse. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on recluse

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!