misanthrope

[ mis-uhn-throhp, miz- ]

/ ˈmɪs ənˌθroʊp, ˈmɪz- /

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noun

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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Sometimes mis·an·thro·pist

[mis-an-thruh-pist, miz‐]. /mɪsˈæn θrə pɪst, mɪz‐/.

Origin of misanthrope

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

Words nearby misanthrope

misalliance, misallocate, misally, misandrist, misandry, misanthrope, misanthropic, misanthropy, misapplied, misapply, misapprehend

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use misanthrope in a sentence

The actor known for yelling for comedic effect in films like Billy Madison and Happy Gilmore uses his impressive pipes to paint a portrait of a misanthrope who finds happiness in an unexpected love connection.
The 15 Best Romantic Comedies from the Early 2000s|Shannon Carlin|February 14, 2022|Time
Highsmith, a misanthrope, gave us in her fiction Tom Ripley, the world’s most charming, but murderous sociopath.
Highsmith at 100: Literary legacy marred by racism|Kathi Wolfe|February 10, 2021|Washington Blade
I do miss Vicious Misanthrope, but I often feel his spirit still lingers somehow.
Mitt Among the Dolphins|Michael Tomasky|September 19, 2012|DAILY BEAST
All 65 episodes of the original animated series, starring that lovable combat-booted misanthrope, are now available on DVD.
The Revenge of Daria|Rebecca Dana|May 15, 2010|DAILY BEAST

You have some surface similarities to Richard Morris, the misanthrope at the center of Perforated Heart.
Portrait of the Artist as a Young Jerk|Lizzie Stark|May 5, 2009|DAILY BEAST
Dean Swift was indeed a misanthrope by theory, however he may have made exception to private life.
Gulliver's Travels|Jonathan Swift
The insular failing is elsewhere frequently displayed by the poet in the trying light cast from a misanthrope genius.
A Cursory History of Swearing|Julian Sharman
She finally becomes anemic and neurasthenic and a misanthrope.
The Eugenic Marriage, Vol. 3 (of 4)|W. Grant Hague
This misanthrope is something more than an honourable gentleman at odds with the world.
Queens of the French Stage|H. Noel Williams
The development of Percival from a priggish misanthrope to a man and a lover is beautifully told.
Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 148, January 13th 1915|Various

British Dictionary definitions for misanthrope

misanthrope

misanthropist (mɪˈzænθrəpɪst)

/ (ˈmɪzənˌθrəʊp) /

noun

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

Derived forms of misanthrope

misanthropic (ˌmɪzənˈθrɒpɪk) or misanthropical, adjectivemisanthropically, adverbmisanthropy (mɪˈzænθrəpɪ), noun

Word Origin for misanthrope

C17: from Greek mīsanthrōpos, from misos hatred + anthrōpos man

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

misanthrope

Origin of misanthrope

Words nearby misanthrope

Words related to misanthrope

How to use misanthrope in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for misanthrope

misanthropist (mɪˈzænθrəpɪst)

Derived forms of misanthrope

Word Origin for misanthrope