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
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
-
Seconds later, there was our reserved little boy, jumping his heart out next to a group of six-foot-something Maasai warriors.—
Flora Stubbs,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Together, the three developments will bring 378 apartments to Nampa, nearly all reserved for tenants earning 60% or less of the Boise metro’s area median income.—
Darin Oswald,
Idaho Statesman,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Hot and dry forests become a tinderbox Record droughts and scorching temperatures created conditions conducive to wildfires in Chile and Argentina, the study found, while single-species plantations of highly flammable trees like pines helped the fires spread more easily in both areas.—
Isabel Debre,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Rinse with water and dry with a clean microfiber cloth or soft towel.—
Louise Parks,
Martha Stewart,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
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
-
Then, a crowd of fans — many in flannel shirts and ski caps despite an unseasonably warm February night outside — took him in politely, if a little detached.—
Théoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Snow and cold conditions have become increasingly unreliable.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Built for extreme cold Corvus One for Cold Chain uses industrial-grade barcode scanners with precise control over focus and exposure, enabling reliable label capture even when barcodes are frosted, damaged, or low contrast.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
But despite some intriguing production, Joji still feels distant and unknowable.—
Mehan Jayasuriya,
Pitchfork,
11 Feb. 2026
-
This isn’t some distant future.—
Brent Saunders,
Fortune,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
Off-screen, Affleck has a slightly rougher star persona, while Damon’s can be a little more withdrawn and intellectual.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
21 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
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
-
The siblings have different personalities, according to their keepers; Xiao Xiao is timid while his sister Lei Lei is fearless and adapts to changes quickly.—
Chris Lau,
CNN Money,
25 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Reclusive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/reclusive. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
