RECLUSIVE Synonyms: 76 Similar and Opposite Words

reclusive

adjective

Definition of reclusive

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 In a dream world, reclusive bassist John Deacon would even play a role. — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 6 Oct. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for reclusive

Recent Examples of Synonyms for reclusive

Adjective

Transfer to bowl with reserved dressing and toss to coat evenly.

— Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 2 Nov. 2026
The figure most responsible for this was Robert Katzman, a reserved, soft-spoken neurologist who chaired the department at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, in the Bronx.

— Manvir Singh, New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of reserved

Adjective

Inland, Sidi Bouzid offers about 5 minutes, 33 seconds beneath typically dry skies, while the spectacular Roman amphitheater at El Jem gets 4 minutes, 23 seconds.

— Jamie Carter, Space.com, 4 Nov. 2026
Fresco painting involves laying dry powdered pigment onto the wet plaster so that the pigment is absorbed into the plaster and becomes one with it.

— Artforum, Artforum, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of dry

Adjective

Safety regulators said that an exterior panel on the vehicle could become detached while driving, creating a hazardous environment for other vehicles.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026
Many clutched their pearls at the teen’s indifference, but the clip went viral as younger audiences embraced his detached demeanor.

— Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of detached

Adjective

After starting in the middle of the night, candidates get about four hours of sleep over the next five days and complete tasks like carrying logs, launching boats into crashing waves, lying in cold ocean water and running around 200 miles.

— James LaPorta, CBS News, 5 Nov. 2026
Doing so before the plant is fully dormant can encourage new growth, which will be vulnerable to cold damage when cooler weather arrives.

— Abby Monteil, The Spruce, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of cold

Adjective

Another fascinating possibility nuclear-electric thrusters open is missions into interstellar space and the distant Oort cloud within a single lifetime.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2026
The metropolis appears to be on the outside looking in, with Las Vegas and Seattle considered distant frontrunners to land the 31st and 32nd teams.

— Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 7 Nov. 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

The withdrawn application had requested approval to build a 166,000-square-foot warehouse on a parcel off Hill Road between State Highway 55 and North Horseshoe Bend Road, the Idaho Statesman previously reported.

— Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 26 Oct. 2026
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

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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“Reclusive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reclusive. Accessed 9 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of reclusive

adjective

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