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
Released on Netflix in September 2020, the film revolves around a reclusive gamer, Joon-woo (Yoo Ah-in), who locks himself up inside his apartment after realizing that a deadly virus is raging outside.
—
Katie Rife, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Oct. 2025
In one example in April, Indian police arrested an American YouTuber who visited an off-limits island in the Indian Ocean and left an offering of a Diet Coke can in an attempt to make contact with the reclusive Sentinelese tribe, which is known to shoot at outsiders with bows and arrows.
—Mithil Aggarwal, NBC news, 27 Oct. 2025
Not necessarily reclusive perhaps, but just private, as much of us are.
—Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Tributes have continued to pour in on social media from peers of the reclusive R&B visionary, including comments from Tyler, the Creator, Jill Scott, E-40, Royce Da 5’9 and Timbaland.
—Michael Saponara, Billboard, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reclusive
Katie Rife, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Oct. 2025
In one example in April, Indian police arrested an American YouTuber who visited an off-limits island in the Indian Ocean and left an offering of a Diet Coke can in an attempt to make contact with the reclusive Sentinelese tribe, which is known to shoot at outsiders with bows and arrows.
—Mithil Aggarwal, NBC news, 27 Oct. 2025
Not necessarily reclusive perhaps, but just private, as much of us are.
—Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Tributes have continued to pour in on social media from peers of the reclusive R&B visionary, including comments from Tyler, the Creator, Jill Scott, E-40, Royce Da 5’9 and Timbaland.
—Michael Saponara, Billboard, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reclusive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reclusive
Adjective
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Whisk in eggs, corn syrup, reserved bourbon, and butter until well combined.—
Kathryn Gregory,
Louisville Courier Journal,
10 Nov. 2025
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While sales in the US, the world’s biggest market, fell by a more reserved 9%, the drop comes after several recent yearly contractions.—
Brendan Ruberry,
semafor.com,
10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Order the deluxe martini with gin or vodka, extra-dry vermouth, and olives or a twist; pair with truffle fries and the hearts of romaine Caesar, available on special request from the restaurant, all as classic as the setting itself.—
Melinda Sheckells,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Nov. 2025
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Up to 16 inches of rainfall drenched the Hill Country area from July 3 to July 5, a landscape known for rapid, raging flooding in extreme rain boosted by moist gulf air moving over the dry, dusty hills.—
Marc Ramirez,
USA Today,
11 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Martell said the tone wasn’t hostile, just detached.—
Will Ripley,
CNN Money,
30 Oct. 2025
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The detached house was built in 2013 and has a living area of 3,186 square feet.—
Bay Area Home Report,
Mercury News,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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After playing a career-best game to tip off the season, pouring in 31 points against Indiana State, Bradford has gone cold from beyond the arc in the past two games, not attempting a three against Tennessee Tech and missing all five of his attempts on Tuesday night.—
Hunter Bailey,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Nov. 2025
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To balance their regular caseload, Landrum said Moore police detectives passed the baton to the US Marshals, who specialized in tracking criminals across state lines and solving cold cases.—
Chelsea Bailey,
CNN Money,
11 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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In another imaging campaign, API, assisted by AMIGO, was able to produce detailed images of a black hole jet, the volcanic surface of Jupiter's moon Io, and stellar winds emanating from a distant variable star.—
Tereza Pultarova,
Space.com,
5 Nov. 2025
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Although the technology to use helium-3 remains distant, its potential value continues to drive long-term interest in lunar and asteroid resource development.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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McCusker is one of those comics who, paradoxically, can rip through a room with his stand-up while in everyday life being somewhat anxious and introverted.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
20 Oct. 2025
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The original book, first published in November 2015, chronicled Rhimes’ journey from introverted showrunner to a woman fully stepping into her power.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Set in Taiwan in 1988, Girl revolves around Hsiao-lee, a quiet and withdrawn girl, growing up in silent gloom.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
5 Aug. 2025
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Unfortunately, further discussions were heated, with no resolve, just more withdrawn behavior while the communications continued.—
Jeanne Phillips,
Mercury News,
30 July 2025
Adjective
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Wonkier reads, to be sure—but these both provide useful context for those looking to understand why the Democratic Party can be so timid before numbers.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
6 Nov. 2025
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In 2024, the Harris-Walz campaign seemed timid, participating in few press conferences and potentially adversarial interviews.—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Reclusive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reclusive. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
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