reclusive

adjective

re·​clu·​sive ri-ˈklü-siv How to pronounce reclusive (audio)
-ziv
1
: seeking solitude : retiring from society
a reclusive neighbor
While Stephen King is far from reclusive, he doesn't spend much time promoting his horror-filled novels.Sarah Lyall
2
: marked by seclusion or retirement : solitary
… sit under the reclusive calm of the acacia tree.H. E. Bates
reclusively adverb
reclusiveness noun

Examples of reclusive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The band’s leader and unqualified genius would become increasingly reclusive, his reliance on the shady psychologist Eugene Landy becoming the stuff of rock legend (and litigation). Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 11 June 2025 When his father died in 1973, Wilson became even more reclusive. Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 11 June 2025 What followed were decades of reclusive silence punctuated by tantalizing moments of re-emergence. Ben Greenman, Pitchfork, 10 June 2025 The doc blends rare archival footage with personal reflections from Novak and glimpses into her reclusive life along Oregon’s wild Rogue River, and traces her path from mid-century cinema icon to fiercely private artist. Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 9 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for reclusive

Word History

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of reclusive was in 1600

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Reclusive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reclusive. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on reclusive

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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