reclusive
adjective
re·clu·sive
ri-ˈklü-siv 
-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
Sarah Lyall2
: marked by seclusion or retirement : solitary
… sit under the reclusive calm of the acacia tree.—H. E. Bates
H. E. Bates
reclusively
adverb
reclusiveness
noun
Examples of reclusive in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Behind the reticent cover unfolded an interlocked series of funny, peculiar short stories conveying the inner life of a reclusive young woman living in the Irish countryside.
—Rebecca Mead, The New Yorker, 1 July 2024
That film starred Nicolas Cage as a reclusive ex-gourmet chef living in the woods with his prize truffle-hunting pig, who must face his past demons when his pig is kidnapped.
—Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 27 June 2024
Owls are normally reclusive beings, flying out at night to hunt, and returning early in the day to hide.
—Richie Vitale, New York Daily News, 27 Feb. 2024
Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell is set in Northern England during the Napoleonic wars, when practical magicians are beings of the past; all except the reclusive Mr Norrell.
—Marianne Gordon, Peoplemag, 19 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for reclusive 
Rebecca Mead, The New Yorker, 1 July 2024
That film starred Nicolas Cage as a reclusive ex-gourmet chef living in the woods with his prize truffle-hunting pig, who must face his past demons when his pig is kidnapped.
—Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 27 June 2024
Owls are normally reclusive beings, flying out at night to hunt, and returning early in the day to hide.
—Richie Vitale, New York Daily News, 27 Feb. 2024
Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell is set in Northern England during the Napoleonic wars, when practical magicians are beings of the past; all except the reclusive Mr Norrell.
—Marianne Gordon, Peoplemag, 19 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for reclusive
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'reclusive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near reclusive
Cite this Entry
“Reclusive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reclusive. Accessed 7 Jul. 2024.
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