as in withdrawn
not comfortable around people
a recessive genius who was most comfortable working alone in his chemistry lab
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 recessive
White tigers are the result of inbreeding to preserve a rare recessive gene.
—
Quinn Clark, jsonline.com, 27 Oct. 2025
As leaders go, Dynevor (Bridgerton) is recessive and inscrutable, at least in the family get-togethers that form the narrative.
—Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 27 Oct. 2025
Further examinations revealed that the golden retriever TNNI3 mutation is autosomal recessive.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 3 Sep. 2025
Could the pigmentation be the result of a spontaneous genetic mutation affecting pigment-producing cells, or might it be inherited through a recessive trait that only rarely appears?
—Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for recessive
Quinn Clark, jsonline.com, 27 Oct. 2025
As leaders go, Dynevor (Bridgerton) is recessive and inscrutable, at least in the family get-togethers that form the narrative.
—Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 27 Oct. 2025
Further examinations revealed that the golden retriever TNNI3 mutation is autosomal recessive.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 3 Sep. 2025
Could the pigmentation be the result of a spontaneous genetic mutation affecting pigment-producing cells, or might it be inherited through a recessive trait that only rarely appears?
—Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for recessive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for recessive
Adjective
-
Parents report that many children stop eating, lose weight and become withdrawn.—
Mike Hixenbaugh,
NBC news,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Along the way, Babilonia matured from the shy withdrawn child who refused to hold a boy’s hand into a bold, strong and confident woman.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Soto finished a triple shy of the cycle.—
James O'Connell,
New York Daily News,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The contest, which awards half of the pot to a winner and donates the other half to charity after expenses, has sold just shy of $350 million (C$472 million) in tickets since 2001, resulting in about $175 million (C$236 million) in prizes for residents of Alberta.—
Justin Birnbaum,
Sportico.com,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
King is the lone remaining healthy starter among the three that were expected to anchor the rotation.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Poorna Jagannathan, whose turn as the formidable crime-boss auntie Lucky has been a fan favorite, will be the lone supporting comedy actress submission.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Such could also be said of May Heinecke for her nuanced portrayal of the most introverted sister, Beth, and Audrey Parker as the explosively ebullient youngest, Amy.—
Rob Hubbard,
Twin Cities,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Others have pushed back that Alito is introverted and shyer than his colleagues and may have no problem skipping an extensive book tour.—
Ella Lee,
The Hill,
22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Recessive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recessive. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
