misanthropic
Americanadjective
-
of, relating to, or characteristic of a misanthrope.
- Synonyms:
- surly, morose, unfriendly, antisocial
-
characterized by misanthropy.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of misanthropic
First recorded in 1755–65; misanthrope + -ic
Explanation
A misanthropic person does not like people and expects the worst of them. It would be misanthropic of you to say that every human being is a greedy, selfish liar. The Greek word for human is anthropos and misein means "to hate", so to be misanthropic is hate humans, to consider them bad or wrong. Being misanthropic is more than just a bad mood, it's a way of looking at the world. Your misanthropic uncle, who has lived alone for decades and despises babies and kittens, seems to have taken a liking to you. This causes you some concern.
Vocabulary lists containing misanthropic
"Should Literature Be Useful?"
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The Field Guide to the North American Teenager
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Florida's B.E.S.T. Roots: mis
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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.
Her 2012 satirical novel, Where’d You Go, Bernadette, about a misanthropic mother who goes missing, sat on bestseller lists for nearly a year and inspired a movie.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026
I was just talking to an actor friend and we both realized that we were drawn, at nine and 10 years old, to these almost dour, misanthropic, middle-aged characters.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 24, 2025
Better than “Kinds of Kindness” but not nearly the triumph of “Poor Things,” this is mid Yorgos Lanthimos — off-putting, punishing and misanthropic but also featuring another showcase for Emma Stone’s bold, creative energy.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 3, 2025
Born and bred in Zaun with a long criminal background, Vi is as rugged and misanthropic as Caitlyn is sleek and chic.
From Salon • Nov. 12, 2024
There was more left to explore, but suddenly it seemed like a waste of time; it was impossible that anyone could still be living here, even the most misanthropic recluse.
From "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children" by Ransom Riggs
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.
