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misanthrope

[mis-uh n-throhp, miz-]
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noun
  1. a hater of humankind.
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Also mis·an·thro·pist [mis-an-thruh-pist, miz‐] /mɪsˈæn θrə pɪst, mɪz‐/.

Origin of misanthrope

1555–65; noun use of Greek mīsánthrōpos hating humankind, misanthropic. See mis-2, anthropo-
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for misanthropist

Historical Examples

  • It was evident, that, had he not been a courtier, he would have been a misanthropist.

    Manners, Vol 1 of 3

    Frances Brooke

  • Most people hate the misanthropist even if they are forced to admire his power.

    Swift

    Leslie Stephen

  • As one may glean from her verbal tilt with Sandeau, she was not a recluse or a misanthropist.

    Superwomen

    Albert Payson Terhune

  • I don't believe you're half the misanthropist you make yourself out.

    Poor Relations

    Compton Mackenzie

  • I fear he will finally become a misanthropist, but I am not very sure.

    Over Here

    Hector MacQuarrie

British Dictionary definitions for misanthropist

misanthrope

misanthropist (mɪˈzænθrəpɪst)

noun
  1. a person who dislikes or distrusts other people or mankind in general
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Derived Formsmisanthropic (ˌmɪzənˈθrɒpɪk) or misanthropical, adjectivemisanthropically, adverbmisanthropy (mɪˈzænθrəpɪ), noun

Word Origin

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

Word Origin and History for misanthropist

misanthrope

n.

"one who hates mankind," 1560s, from Greek misanthropos "hating mankind," from misein "to hate" (see miso-) + anthropos "man" (see anthropo-). Alternative form misanthropist is attested from 1650s.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper