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.
Greenspan later wrote that he found the president to be "sadly paranoid, misanthropic and cynical", but the economist's success at curbing inflation impressed Nixon's successors.
From BBC ● Jun. 22, 2026
In Vince Gilligan’s hit Apple TV sci-fi drama, Rhea Seehorn’s performance as the misanthropic Carol is a case against total agreement and an argument for arguing.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 24, 2025
Preteen Elio is on a misanthropic trajectory that, if not recalibrated, could result in him growing up to marry a pillow.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 18, 2025
The author, Will Kernan, was a well-known extremist who wrote the deeply misanthropic “Song of Hate.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 2, 2025
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.
