misanthrope

American  

[mis-uhn-throhp, miz-] / ˈmɪs ənˌθroʊp, ˈmɪz- /

Sometimes misanthropist

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.

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misanthrope British  

/ ˈmɪzənˌθrəʊp, mɪˈzænθrəpɪ, mɪˈzænθrəpɪst, ˌmɪzənˈθrɒpɪk /

noun

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

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Other Word Forms

• misanthropic adjective
• misanthropically adverb
• misanthropy noun

Etymology

Origin of misanthrope

First recorded in 1680–90; from French misanthrope (noun and adjective), from Greek mīsánthrōpos “hating humankind”; miso-, anthropo-

Example Sentences

He is a swindler, a snob and a savage misanthrope.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 2, 2026

Sittenfeld is a sharp observer of social mores and an astute judge of character, but she’s never cruel — she’s the opposite of a misanthrope.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 21, 2025

A Mariners misanthrope had an all-you-can-hate buffet in front of him Wednesday between the lack of hitting, wayward pitching and nonexistent “D.”

From Seattle Times • Apr. 3, 2024

Prompted by her annoyance with humanity, Amanda, a prickly misanthrope, rents a house to which she, Clay and their teenagers decamp.

From New York Times • Dec. 7, 2023

He was elected over his own objections: He was too impatient with people, he freely admitted, and was basically a misanthrope.

From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover