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 Some 16% were aware their child had been subject to physical restraint or seclusion — likely a wild undercount, given the number of parents at the in-person meeting who said their kids were restrained several times a week. — Beth Hawkins, Denver Post, 15 Sep. 2026 That sense of exclusivity and seclusion is visible from A1A, where a canopied two-lane road runs between the estate homes and beachside condominiums. — Miami Herald, 11 Sep. 2026 With just 112 luxury rooms and suites, the resort maintains an atmosphere of seclusion, calm, and understated exclusivity. — Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 9 Sep. 2026 And viewers’ mileage will certainly vary with this peculiar, fun little concoction on seclusion, connection and the need to belong that can’t hide its undercurrent of melancholy about the sorry state of a divided world. — Tomris Laffly, Variety, 7 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for seclusion
Recent Examples of Synonyms for seclusion
Noun
  • For many, a walk in the woods or a visit to a scenic stop is a way to seek out not just solitude but also to connect with nature.
    — Gagandeep Singh, Sacbee.com, 24 Oct. 2026
  • There’s the wait that will put an end to unbearable solitude, or perhaps the fear of a new presence arriving to disrupt everything.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The Sun enters your 12th House, drawing your attention toward rest, reflection, privacy, unfinished matters, and everything easier to hear when the outside world becomes less demanding.
    — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Privacy concerns The very same design elements that make Muse so appealing to AI newcomers are also raising privacy concerns.
    — Andrew R. Chow, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Grid current passes through silicon carbide transistors that switch at high frequency before sending it through a small conventional transformer, preserving the essential electrical isolation between the grid and everything downstream.
    — Alex Pasternack, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The receiving device checks every instruction against what the sender is actually permitted to do, building on network isolation and device identity rather than replacing them.
    — Julian Durand, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Seclusion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/seclusion. Accessed 26 Oct. 2026.

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