Definition of seclusionnext

Synonym Chooser

How is the word seclusion distinct from other similar nouns?

The words isolation and solitude are common synonyms of seclusion. While all three words mean "the state of one who is alone," seclusion suggests a shutting away or keeping apart from others often connoting deliberate withdrawal from the world or retirement to a quiet life.

lived in pastoral seclusion

Where would isolation be a reasonable alternative to seclusion?

The synonyms isolation and seclusion are sometimes interchangeable, but isolation stresses detachment from others often involuntarily.

the isolation of the village in winter

When would solitude be a good substitute for seclusion?

The words solitude and seclusion are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, solitude may imply a condition of being apart from all human beings or of being cut off by wish or circumstances from one's usual associates.

a few quiet hours of solitude

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 seclusion Plus, its elevated location lends an air of seclusion and delivers panoramic views of Pollonia. Helen Iatrou, Travel + Leisure, 11 July 2026 Harbour Island is known for its pink-sand beaches, luxury estates and relative seclusion compared with many other Caribbean destinations. Bryan West, USA Today, 7 July 2026 Althorp House is Diana’s final resting place, chosen for its privacy and seclusion. Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 1 July 2026 Here, pergolas frame wisteria, allium, and Camassia, creating a delicate, colorful border that effortlessly adds a sense of privacy and seclusion. Helena Madden, Martha Stewart, 21 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for seclusion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for seclusion
Noun
  • Billy’s main creative outlet in her years of solitude has been visual art, and her work—abstractions dominated by the geometric forms of Little Death’s air-vent face—seems like a closed circuit of self-therapy.
    Richard Brody, New Yorker, 31 July 2026
  • The park also covers more than 3 million acres of mountains, glaciers, rainforests, coastlines, and fjords, giving you plenty of space to explore and find a little solitude.
    Abby Price, Travel + Leisure, 30 July 2026
Noun
  • The other half is a compliance-and-privacy layer, built on the same argument that crypto never actually proves who paid whom.
    Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Buttery defended that decision, saying an employee operating a cruiser or unmarked car has no expectation of privacy.
    Kelsy Mittauer, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Midway into her pregnancy, the 26-year-old feared being put into isolation simply for having a fever, a common misconception.
    ABC News, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026
  • The acclaimed documentary captures a 20-year personal chronicle of a family struggling with severe mental illness and social isolation.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 3 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Seclusion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/seclusion. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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