hermitic
Shunning all company
Hermitic describes the life of a hermit—solitary, withdrawn from society, devoted to contemplation or self-sufficiency.
A hermitic existence suggests deliberate isolation: He led a hermitic life in the mountains, seeing no one for months.
The word often carries spiritual or philosophical overtones, though it can simply mean extremely reclusive.
Turned toward inner life
- reservedRestrained in manner
- reticentDisinclined to speak freely
- quietLacking in sound
- solitaryExisting alone, apart
unsociable · reclusive · aloof · detached · introspective · self-sufficient · private · uncommunicative
One choosing isolation
- lonerOne who avoids company
- withdrawnEmotionally distant, disengaged
- secludedSet apart, private
- isolatedSeparated from others
alone · unaccompanied · self-contained · detached · independent · autonomous · solitude · seclusion
Set apart, private
- cloisteredSheltered from outside contact
- hiddenKept out of sight
- remoteDistant or controller
- shelteredKept safe from harm
sanctuary · refuge · retreat · haven · private · undisturbed · sequestered · concealed
Enforced economic stringency
- renunciationFormal surrender of claim
- self-denialRestraining one's own desires
- fastingDeliberate food avoidance
- abstinenceVoluntary forgoing of indulgences
discipline · simplicity · penance · celibacy · temperance · frugality · mortification · spartan
Sustained reflective attention
- meditationFocused attention practice
- prayerAddress to deity
- devotionDeep, loyal commitment
- mysticismPursuit of divine union
enlightenment · transcendence · gnosis · illumination · revelation · cenobite · silence · vigil
introverted
Turned toward inner life
solitary · unsociable · reclusive · aloof · detached · introspective · self-sufficient · private · uncommunicative · guarded
recluse
One choosing isolation
isolated · alone · unaccompanied · self-contained · detached · independent · autonomous · solitude · seclusion · retreat
secluded
Set apart, private
- cloisteredSheltered from outside contact
- hiddenKept out of sight
- remoteDistant or controller
sheltered · sanctuary · refuge · retreat · haven · private · undisturbed · sequestered · concealed · withdrawn
austerity
Enforced economic stringency
- renunciationFormal surrender of claim
- self-denialRestraining one's own desires
- fastingDeliberate food avoidance
abstinence · discipline · simplicity · penance · celibacy · temperance · frugality · mortification · spartan · monastic
contemplation
Sustained reflective attention
- meditationFocused attention practice
- prayerAddress to deity
- devotionDeep, loyal commitment
mysticism · enlightenment · transcendence · gnosis · illumination · revelation · cenobite · silence · vigil · scripture
hermiticgregarious
Fond of companionship
sociable · outgoing · social · convivial · extroverted
hermiticworldly
Experienced in practical affairs
secular · temporal · cosmopolitan · urbane · materialistic
- hermit crabCrustacean occupying abandoned shells
- hermit kingdomNation deliberately avoiding outside contact
- hermit lifestyleWithdrawn, isolated way of living
- forest hermitOne living alone in woods
- Herman's HermitsSixties British pop group
- hermit crab shellPortable shelter crustacean inhabits