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.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 reclusive
Santana was somewhat reclusive after his playing career ended.
—
Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 23 Feb. 2025
In the profile, published on Feb. 12, Kaya Walker, the chapter’s president, suggested that the president’s son, an 18-year-old freshman at N.Y.U., did not appear to be assimilating into campus life and was reclusive.
—Neil Vigdor, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2025
It is named after longtime local environmental and snowpack researcher billy barr, a reclusive mountain man who prefers spelling his name using lowercase letters.
—Morgan Tilton, The Denver Post, 4 Feb. 2025
The notoriously reclusive singer took to X to signal (albeit lukewarm) support on Wednesday.
—Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 6 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for reclusive
Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 23 Feb. 2025
In the profile, published on Feb. 12, Kaya Walker, the chapter’s president, suggested that the president’s son, an 18-year-old freshman at N.Y.U., did not appear to be assimilating into campus life and was reclusive.
—Neil Vigdor, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2025
It is named after longtime local environmental and snowpack researcher billy barr, a reclusive mountain man who prefers spelling his name using lowercase letters.
—Morgan Tilton, The Denver Post, 4 Feb. 2025
The notoriously reclusive singer took to X to signal (albeit lukewarm) support on Wednesday.
—Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 6 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for reclusive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reclusive
Adjective
-
Every Wednesday night, Erika Hernandez's home has an open door—and a reserved seat—for her late son's best friend.—
Russel Honoré,
Newsweek,
5 Mar. 2025
-
Members of the State Department's diplomatic corps have a reserved section.—
Javier Zarracina,
USA TODAY,
3 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The water flowed into the dry Tulare lakebed and soaked into the ground.—
Ella Nilsen,
CNN,
7 Mar. 2025
-
When Hackman and Arakawa were found, the bodies were decomposing with some mummification, a consequence of body type and climate in Santa Fe’s especially dry air at an elevation of nearly 7,200 feet (2,200 meters).—
Lisa Baumann,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
One adult who lives in the detached garage and six adults and three cats who live in an adjacent home were displaced by the fire, according to the post.—
Graeme Taskerud,
The Denver Post,
28 Feb. 2025
-
These parents fulfill their child’s basic needs—food, shelter and clothing—but remain emotionally detached and disengaged.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes,
19 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
In cold weather, the fluid circulating through the geothermal system’s underground plastic pipes absorbs the relatively warm temperature of the earth and brings it back to home heat pumps, which concentrate the heat and send it into homes.—
Nara Schoenberg,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Mar. 2025
-
But as the lingerie giant negotiates around a more cautious consumer, colder weather and tariff uncertainty out of the Trump White House, Hillary Super’s longer-term plans are coming into focus.—
Evan Clark,
WWD,
6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Shaw’s prophecy was light years distant from Uncle Jerry’s reality.—
Ron Grossman,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Mar. 2025
-
In Oscar-winning writer/director Bong Joon Ho’s new movie, Mickey Barnes (Pattinson) is an Earth man who signs up for a colonizing expedition to a distant icy planet and volunteers for a job that puts him in deadly situations constantly.—
Brian Truitt,
USA TODAY,
8 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Shelters are stressful and scary places and most dogs will not be themselves, but the introverted dogs deserve a home just as much as the confident ones.—
Tommy Tuberville,
Newsweek,
6 Mar. 2025
-
There’s enough space for everybody, even the introverted dogs.—
Kate Bradshaw,
The Mercury News,
3 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Nicky Jam has released his first project since facing stark backlash for his (withdrawn) endorsement of Donald Trump.—
Tomás Mier,
Rolling Stone,
28 Feb. 2025
-
Children may express anxiety by becoming distant, withdrawn, agitated, upset, or avoiding social contact.8 4.—
Mark Gurarie,
Verywell Health,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Cheered on by timid bankers who wouldn't risk a lemon in their sparse baskets.—
Dan Primack,
Axios,
11 Mar. 2025
-
To say that does not trivialize the Holocaust, as some timid folk insist.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
11 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Reclusive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reclusive. Accessed 19 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share