antisocial

[an-tee-soh-shuhl, an-tahy-]

adjective

1. 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

2. antagonistic, hostile, or unfriendly toward others; menacing; threatening.

   an antisocial act.

   Synonyms: intimidating, disruptive

3. opposed or detrimental to social order or the principles on which society is constituted.

   antisocial behavior.

4. Psychiatry.,  of or relating to a pattern of behavior in which social norms and the rights of others are persistently violated.

noun

1. a person exhibiting antisocial traits.

antisocial

/ ˌæntɪˈsəʊʃəl /

adjective

1. avoiding the company of other people; unsociable

2. contrary or injurious to the interests of society in general

Other Word Forms

• antisociality noun
• antisocially adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of antisocial¹

First recorded in 1790–1800; anti- + social

Example Sentences

I refer, of course, to the boorish crowd at the Ryder Cup—and the extended aftermath of the antisocial behavior witnessed at Bethpage Black last weekend.

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But critics have warned relaxing rules around alcohol would lead to more antisocial behaviour.

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A Tesco spokesperson said: "We take reports of antisocial behaviour in our car parks very seriously and have been working to prevent incidents involving groups of motorists."

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What Muhammad and other shopkeepers have experienced over recent months captures the challenge antisocial behaviour poses to police, councils and communities at a time when the government has said tackling it is a key priority.

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“It’s selfish, dangerous and antisocial. I have no admiration for him at all. He’s not at all admirable. He’s just stupid and greedy.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• alienated 
• introverted www.thesaurus.com
• standoffish