An anchoretic is an adjective that is used to describe a person who lives a solitary life, often in a religious or contemplative context. Some synonyms for the word anchoretic include hermitic, reclusive, ascetic, isolated, and solitary. The word hermitic refers to someone who lives alone, while reclusive describes someone who avoids social interaction. Ascetic is commonly used to describe those who lead a life of self-denial or abstemiousness. Isolated and solitary both relate to being alone or separate from others. In essence, all these words are used to paint a picture of a person who prefers to live a life of seclusion or solitude.