reclusive

adjective

Definition of reclusivenext
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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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 The movie stars Dakota Johnson as up-and-coming writer Lowen Ashleigh, who’s been tasked with ghostwriting for famous, reclusive author Verity Crawford (Anne Hathaway). — Juliet Izon, Architectural Digest, 2 Oct. 2026 As a result, Lizzie became increasingly reclusive over the years. — Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2026 Which is how, at a funeral parlor, Bernie comes to meet Araminta (Jodie Comer channeling her inner Helena Bonham-Carter as a gothic, reclusive cat lady). — Damon Wise, Deadline, 11 Sep. 2026 For all its intimidating size and appearance, the giant huntsman is reclusive and not considered dangerous to humans. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for reclusive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reclusive
  1. reserved
  2. dry
  3. detached
  4. cold
  5. distant
  6. introverted
  7. withdrawn
  8. timid
Adjective
  • Doncic’s dueling personalities — the charismatic showman on the court and the reserved personality off it — overlap in his generosity.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Premier and reserved parking passes are both $65 on Ticketmaster.
    — Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of reserved
Adjective
  • And dry forests and parched soils significantly increase the likelihood and severity of wildfires.
    — Ava Berger, NPR, 29 Oct. 2026
  • And El Nino is supposed to keep west Africa hot and dry through the winter.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of dry
Adjective
  • The exterior entry and upper-level access of the detached, two-story guesthouse.
    — Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Goldfish centers on a 17-year-old high school senior who presents as detached, ironic and emotionally armored, but underneath is quietly paralyzed by fear of failure, abandonment and becoming his parents.
    — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of detached
Adjective
  • And without colder weather, where the temperatures drop and stay below zero, the result will likely be a smaller snowpack.
    — Ava Berger, NPR, 29 Oct. 2026
  • How bad the flu season gets each year depends on factors such as the dominant flu strain, how well the annual vaccine matches it, how many people get vaccinated, tourism levels, and how much cold weather leads to more indoor gatherings.
    — Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of cold
Adjective
  • An exuberant pre-dawn sky — filled with large, bright stars, a luminous crescent moon, and blue and white swirls — dominates the landscape featuring a prominent cypress tree and distant hillside village.
    — Amarachi Orie, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The changes include allowing the adoption of distant male relatives raised as commoners to become royals and father future heirs, and letting princesses keep their royal status after marrying commoners.
    — Mari Yamaguchi, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of distant
Adjective
  • Jim Casey was an introverted man whose education ended with the seventh grade.
    — Marc Levinson, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2026
  • On average, introverted people find social stimulation less rewarding, while extroverted people are more likely to benefit from social contact.
    — Desireé Oostland, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of introverted
Adjective
  • In an era of ball-to-feet No 10s and withdrawn strikers, Welbeck stays high up the pitch, runs the channels and occupies defenders.
    — Liam Tharme, New York Times, 27 July 2026
  • The withdrawn earnings are taxed as ordinary income, the Treasury said.
    — Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 11 July 2026
Definition of withdrawn
Adjective
  • In his eyes, most conventional medical practitioners are timid and overly literal-minded.
    — D. T. Max, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026
  • But if El-Sayed and other progressives were to fall short, that could make Democrats more timid about being ambitious in the 2028 campaign and afterward.
    — Dylan Scott, Vox, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of timid

Browse Nearby Words

reclusion
reclusive
recognition
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Cite this Entry

“Reclusive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reclusive. Accessed 31 Oct. 2026.

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