misanthrope

[ mis-uhn-throhp, miz- ]
See synonyms for misanthrope on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. a person who hates, dislikes, or distrusts most others; an antisocial, cynical, or unfriendly person: They’re a bunch of mean-spirited misanthropes, smugly indifferent to the misfortunes of others.

Origin of misanthrope

1
First recorded in 1680–90; from French misanthrope (noun and adjective), from Greek mīsánthrōpos “hating humankind”; see miso-, anthropo-
  • Sometimes mis·an·thro·pist [mis-an-thruh-pist, miz‐]. /mɪsˈæn θrə pɪst, mɪz‐/.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use misanthrope in a sentence

  • “You make me feel myself a blatant misanthropist,” he said contritely.

  • Most people hate the misanthropist even if they are forced to admire his power.

    Swift | Leslie Stephen
  • Man, said he, when I first saw you I thought you had changed into a disillusioned misanthropist.

    The Rough Road | William John Locke
  • The truth is that—as there is ample testimony in his prolific writings—is lordship was something of a misanthropist.

    The Sea-Hawk | Raphael Sabatini
  • It was evident, that, had he not been a courtier, he would have been a misanthropist.

    Manners, Vol 1 of 3 | Frances Brooke

British Dictionary definitions for misanthrope

misanthrope

misanthropist (mɪˈzænθrəpɪst)

/ (ˈmɪzənˌθrəʊp) /


noun
  1. a person who dislikes or distrusts other people or mankind in general

Origin of misanthrope

1
C17: from Greek mīsanthrōpos, from misos hatred + anthrōpos man

Derived forms of misanthrope

  • misanthropic (ˌmɪzənˈθrɒpɪk) or misanthropical, adjective
  • misanthropically, adverb
  • misanthropy (mɪˈzænθrəpɪ), noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012