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Reclusive vs Illusive - What's the difference?

reclusive | illusive |

As adjectives the difference between reclusive and illusive

is that reclusive is of, characterized by, or preferring privacy and isolation; secluded while illusive is subject to or pertaining to an illusion , often used in the sense of an unrealistic expectation or an unreachable goal or outcome.

reclusive

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Of, characterized by, or preferring privacy and isolation; secluded.
  • * {{quote-news
  • , year=2011 , date=December 19 , author=Kerry Brown , title=Kim Jong-il obituary , work=The Guardian citation , page= , passage=Kim Jong-il, who has died aged 69, was the general secretary of the Workers party of Korea, and head of the military in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). He was one of the most reclusive and widely condemned national leaders of the late 20th and early 21st century, leaving his country diplomatically isolated, economically broken and divided from South Korea.}}
  • *
  • And if it sort not well, you may conceal her,
    As best befits her wounded reputation,
    In some reclusive and religious life,
    Out of all eyes, tongues, minds and injuries.

    Synonyms

    * hermit-like * withdrawn

    illusive

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Subject to or pertaining to an illusion , often used in the sense of an unrealistic expectation or an unreachable goal or outcome.
  • Testing software completely is an illusive goal.
  • *
  • he could not catch the illusive thing that had sadly perplexed as well as elevated his spirit.

    Usage notes

    * Often confused with elusive.

    Synonyms

    * (pertaining to an illusion) illusory

    Derived terms

    * illusively * illusiveness