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
The novel tells, among other things, the story of a friendship between Helen DeWitt (at certain points apparently fictionalized as a reclusive, suicidal writer named Rachel Zozanian) and the tabloid journalist Ilya Gridneff.
—
Robert Rubsam, The Atlantic, 1 Jan. 2026
Set in the sweltering heat of Atlanta, Anna (Thompson) has becom reclusive, fading away from her friends and career as a news anchor.
—Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 1 Jan. 2026
Hokum – In Theaters May 1 The film follows reclusive novelist Ohm Bauman (Adam Scott), who retreats to a remote Irish inn to scatter his parents’ ashes, but the staff’s tales of an ancient witch haunting the honeymoon suite take hold of his mind.
—Robert Lang, Deadline, 27 Dec. 2025
First, there’s Tom Waits’ sly, semi-reclusive dad being visited by his adult kids (Adam Driver and Mayim Bialik).
—Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 23 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reclusive
Robert Rubsam, The Atlantic, 1 Jan. 2026
Set in the sweltering heat of Atlanta, Anna (Thompson) has becom reclusive, fading away from her friends and career as a news anchor.
—Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 1 Jan. 2026
Hokum – In Theaters May 1 The film follows reclusive novelist Ohm Bauman (Adam Scott), who retreats to a remote Irish inn to scatter his parents’ ashes, but the staff’s tales of an ancient witch haunting the honeymoon suite take hold of his mind.
—Robert Lang, Deadline, 27 Dec. 2025
First, there’s Tom Waits’ sly, semi-reclusive dad being visited by his adult kids (Adam Driver and Mayim Bialik).
—Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 23 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reclusive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for reclusive
Adjective
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Máxima and the recovery of an icon With the arrival of Queen Máxima to the throne, the sapphire tiara regained a prominence that seemed reserved for other eras.—
Marta Martínez Tato,
Vanity Fair,
13 Feb. 2026
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Low-key and reserved on and off the course, the 23-year-old rarely betrays emotion.—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
We’re often barraged with a series of facts, dates and notable events, and the results can be dry as dust.—
Frank Scheck,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Feb. 2026
-
To help the shrub recover, maintain consistent soil moisture for the rest of the winter by watering during dry periods.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Senate Bill 1277 would cut text limiting what counts as an ADU, essentially allowing detached ADUs with the same consideration as apartments inside a home.—
Mark Dee,
Idaho Statesman,
13 Feb. 2026
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Yes, all of these songs coast primarily on vibes—Joji’s delivery remains detached and clinical throughout—but at least the vibes are compelling.—
Mehan Jayasuriya,
Pitchfork,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The Gophers and Ducks were both ice cold in the first half, with the U holding an unsightly 22-13 lead.—
Andy Greder,
Twin Cities,
18 Feb. 2026
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The Antarctic Ocean is heavily layered, or stratified, to a depth of around 1,000 meters (3,280 feet) because of conflicting properties including colder, denser water from below not readily mixing with fresh water running off melting ice from above.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Genealogy investigations have had major success stories Successfully using the DNA of distant family members to profile and narrow down suspects had an extraordinarily high-profile debut in 2018, when it was used to solve the cold case of the Golden State Killer.—
Andy Rose,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
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The oldest American woman to compete in the women’s singles event in nearly a century now sits in a distant 13th place ahead of the 4-minute free skate on Thursday night.—
Brittany Ghiroli,
New York Times,
18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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From science fairs to college labs For someone whose work could transform medicine, Liu, 52, is understated — an introverted polymath driven by curiosity.—
Carolyn Y. Johnson,
Washington Post,
7 Feb. 2026
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Bedard and Celebrini are supremely confident but supremely polite, leaders by example, maybe a little introverted — guarded in public and only goofy in private (and occasionally on Instagram).—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Parents report that many children stop eating, lose weight and become withdrawn.—
Mike Hixenbaugh,
NBC news,
6 Feb. 2026
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The Flynns’ pompous neighbor, Jim Doherty, a divorcé with a withdrawn, unpleasant son, encourages Catherine’s artistic rebirth.—
Hannah Gold,
New Yorker,
21 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Gallego is confident that none of the pejoratives affixed to Democrats—weak, feckless, timid—applies to him.—
Mark Leibovich,
The Atlantic,
11 Feb. 2026
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Harry Melling stars as a timid man who is swept off his feet when an enigmatic, impossibly handsome biker (Skarsgård) takes him on as his submissive.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Reclusive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reclusive. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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