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

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."

From BBC

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.

From BBC

“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.”

From Los Angeles Times

"They didn't take the antisocial reports seriously. If they took it seriously, they could have moved him to different places and this person would not have died."

From BBC

"Some of our biggest complaints are from members of the public who are trying to enjoy the green spaces, but they're unable to due to this antisocial behaviour," he said.

From BBC

Related Words

• alienated 
• introverted www.thesaurus.com
• standoffish