as in reserved
inclined or tending to avoid other people
The reclusive woman was more than happy to spend her day off reading and writing at home.
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Recent Examples of reclusive
Set in the sweltering heat of Atlanta, Anna (Thompson) has becom reclusive, fading away from her friends and career as a news anchor.
—
Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 1 Jan. 2026
Hokum – In Theaters May 1 The film follows reclusive novelist Ohm Bauman (Adam Scott), who retreats to a remote Irish inn to scatter his parents’ ashes, but the staff’s tales of an ancient witch haunting the honeymoon suite take hold of his mind.
—Robert Lang, Deadline, 27 Dec. 2025
The sequel, The Woman in Suite 11, reunites us with Lo who, this time, is attending the opening of a luxe Swiss hotel owned by a reclusive billionaire.
—Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 23 Dec. 2025
First, there’s Tom Waits’ sly, semi-reclusive dad being visited by his adult kids (Adam Driver and Mayim Bialik).
—Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 23 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reclusive
Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 1 Jan. 2026
Hokum – In Theaters May 1 The film follows reclusive novelist Ohm Bauman (Adam Scott), who retreats to a remote Irish inn to scatter his parents’ ashes, but the staff’s tales of an ancient witch haunting the honeymoon suite take hold of his mind.
—Robert Lang, Deadline, 27 Dec. 2025
The sequel, The Woman in Suite 11, reunites us with Lo who, this time, is attending the opening of a luxe Swiss hotel owned by a reclusive billionaire.
—Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 23 Dec. 2025
First, there’s Tom Waits’ sly, semi-reclusive dad being visited by his adult kids (Adam Driver and Mayim Bialik).
—Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 23 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reclusive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reclusive
Adjective
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Three-day general admission passes start at $549; general admission and shuttle combo packages start at $669; Rhinestone Saloon admission passes start at $974; Corral reserved seating starts at $1,199; Corral standing pit access starts at $1,899.—
Holly Alvarado,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Jan. 2026
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The Grammy shine for Harry’s House overshadowed the reality that the music was growing cozy and reserved.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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It’s infused with hydrating ingredients, including mirsalehi honey and argan oil, which work together to replenish moisture in dry, frizzy hair.—
Andrea Navarro,
Glamour,
29 Jan. 2026
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In the summer of 2025, Wy’East Mountain Academy, located at Mount Hood in Oregon, debuted the largest airbag and dry slope in North America, 80 feet wide and 200 feet long.—
Michelle Bruton,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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That doesn’t mean being passive or detached.—
Glenn Kurlander,
Fortune,
28 Jan. 2026
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Total sales were down 1% to 5,663, and Jefferson, Douglas, Arapahoe and Adams counties all had slightly more detached home sales than Denver.—
Aldo Svaldi,
Denver Post,
22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Her nurse scooped her up and ran to put her into a cold bath, and slowly the motions faded.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
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Ways to do that include cold showers, taking a nature walk, laughing, taking deep breaths, listening to something relaxing, or humming to yourself.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Some eighty-thousand men, women and children would be sentenced to transportation, taking them from Ireland, England, Wales and Scotland to a distant region of the British Empire that would come to be known as Tasmania.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
-
In the not-too-distant past, a rocket might launch to orbit every few weeks or so.—
Elizabeth Howell,
Space.com,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Rahman appears soft-spoken and introverted, preferring to listen rather than hold court.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
28 Jan. 2026
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Lurker, written and directed by Alex Russell (Beef, The Bear), is a psychological thriller that follows an introverted 20-something retail clerk, Matthew (Théodore Pellerin), who encounters Oliver (Archie Madekwe), a popular and charismatic musician.—
Destiny Jackson,
Deadline,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The Flynns’ pompous neighbor, Jim Doherty, a divorcé with a withdrawn, unpleasant son, encourages Catherine’s artistic rebirth.—
Hannah Gold,
New Yorker,
21 Jan. 2026
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Off-screen, Affleck has a slightly rougher star persona, while Damon’s can be a little more withdrawn and intellectual.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
21 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The siblings have different personalities, according to their keepers; Xiao Xiao is timid while his sister Lei Lei is fearless and adapts to changes quickly.—
Chris Lau,
CNN Money,
25 Jan. 2026
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Oswald’s timid Ludie is gentle, sad and almost childlike in his lack of assertiveness toward his wife.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Reclusive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reclusive. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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