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
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Their capture is likely to provide valuable information about North Korea, a reclusive nuclear-armed state whose leader, Kim Jong Un, has been ratcheting up his hostile rhetoric against the United States and its allies. Stella Kim, NBC News, 13 Jan. 2025 So, yeah, because of that, she’s been more socially reclusive. John Russell, People.com, 10 Jan. 2025 The reclusive species is native to West Africa and loves water just as much as its heftier counterparts. Amanda Kooser, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024 The reclusive state blasted road and rail links with South Korea this week. Reuters, NBC News, 18 Oct. 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near reclusive

Cite this Entry

“Reclusive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reclusive. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

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