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.

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 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 In the trailer, released Tuesday, Jake Gyllenhaal stars as a reclusive architect who moves to a small coastal town to complete his latest project. — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 8 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 withdrawn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
  • Top with reserved sausage and mushrooms, red onion, bell pepper, pepperoni and olives.
    — Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The reaction from the Greek government was decidedly more reserved, reflecting its desire to maintain close ties with Washington.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of reserved
Adjective
  • Although the region got some rain Sunday and Monday, most of it fell in areas south of Los Angeles County, leaving Los Angeles and Ventura counties very dry.
    — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Combine turkey stock or chicken broth and dry red wine in a large glass measuring cup.
    — Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of dry
Adjective
  • There’s also an indoor-outdoor dog run, as well as a detached guesthouse with its own kitchen and bath and a seven-car garage sporting a Tesla charging station.
    — Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 13 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
  • That level of pure confidence while talking to the person with cold, hard footage is what makes Lisa Barlow the perfect Real Housewife.
    — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Shea’s supervisor confronted her when Shea’s findings in a cold case could not be replicated.
    — Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of cold
Adjective
  • Once such fallacious arguments were enthusiastically embraced, the horror of the Shoah was not far distant.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026
  • While officials insist the demolitions are a non-negotiable step toward revitalizing the corridor along Old National Highway, the families and owners left in the wake of the bulldozers say true recovery remains a distant promise.
    — La'Tasha Givens, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of distant
Adjective
  • What readers are saying The comments reflect a range of perspectives on a relationship dynamic where one partner, an extrovert, desires more social planning from their introverted spouse.
    — Emily Morman, Washington Post, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The stereotype of an introverted software developer, siloed in an office far removed from the rest of the organization, will become a thing of the past.
    — Alberto Lugo, Forbes.com, 23 Sep. 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
  • Defense can’t be too timid, but there needs to be rational response to an asymmetric downside.
    — Bob Ackerman, Forbes.com, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Yukon Golds bring plenty of flavor on their own, while garlic and rosemary steeped in warm milk and cream make sure there’s nothing timid about them.
    — Andy Baraghani, Bon Appetit Magazine, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of timid

Browse Nearby Words

reclusion
reclusive
recognition
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Reclusive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reclusive. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of fervid

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All