antisocial

American  

[an-tee-soh-shuhl, an-tahy-] / ˌæn tiˈsoʊ ʃəl, ˌæn taɪ- /

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.

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noun

1. a person exhibiting antisocial traits.

antisocial British  

/ ˌæntɪˈsəʊʃəl /

adjective

1. avoiding the company of other people; unsociable

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

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Other Word Forms

• antisociality noun
• antisocially adverb

Etymology

Origin of antisocial

First recorded in 1790–1800; anti- + social

Example Sentences

But one day a close friend upbraided me for shunning Black Friday, insisting that such antisocial tightfistedness was inherently un-American.

From The Wall Street Journal

A broken window left unaddressed suggests a level of neighborhood disorder that invites antisocial behavior.

From The Wall Street Journal

If a tenant damages the property, commits antisocial behaviour, or falls significantly behind paying the rent - known as rent arrears - the landlord can give notice at any point.

From BBC

Public seating or covered areas can become focal points for antisocial behavior.

From MarketWatch

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.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• alienated
• introverted
• standoffish