antisocial
Americanadjective
-
unwilling or unable to associate in a normal or friendly way with other people.
He's not antisocial, just shy.
- Synonyms:
- misanthropic, retiring, unsociable
- Antonyms:
- affable, genial, gregarious
-
antagonistic, hostile, or unfriendly toward others; menacing; threatening.
an antisocial act.
- Synonyms:
- intimidating, disruptive
-
opposed or detrimental to social order or the principles on which society is constituted.
antisocial behavior.
-
Psychiatry. of or relating to a pattern of behavior in which social norms and the rights of others are persistently violated.
noun
adjective
-
avoiding the company of other people; unsociable
-
contrary or injurious to the interests of society in general
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of antisocial
Explanation
When someone is antisocial, they're either rude and unmannered or they avoid other people. Either way, they're not the life of the party. This is a word that describes people and behaviors that are not very welcoming to others. Yelling, swearing, pushing, and generally being a jerk are all antisocial behaviors. Being a hermit and avoiding contact with other people is antisocial, too. Though this is a negative word, it's not entirely bad. We all need to get away from others once in awhile, and people who seem antisocial may just need a little space.
Vocabulary lists containing antisocial
Power Prefix: Anti
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We the People: Soc
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Florida's B.E.S.T. Common Prefixes: ant-, anti-
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Starring Milly Alcock as Superman’s antisocial cousin, the franchise’s latest installment has a lackluster storyline overloaded with jokey antics.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 25, 2026
A BBC Scotland reporter at the scene described "clusters of antisocial behaviour" taking place across the city centre with at least one arrest.
From BBC ● Jun. 9, 2026
"Since the centre has opened we have seen a steady decrease in crime and antisocial behaviour on the estate," Mike said.
From BBC ● Jun. 4, 2026
Walking and typing is dangerous, but walking and talking like a maniac into my own recorder is merely antisocial.
From Slate ● May 24, 2026
The man dragged the bottle thrower to a parking lot to discuss his antisocial behavior.
From "The Ear, the Eye, and the Arm" by Nancy Farmer
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
