sociopath

[ soh-see-uh-path, soh-shee- ]

noun

, Psychiatry.

1. a person with a psychopathic personality whose behavior is antisocial, often criminal, and who lacks a sense of moral responsibility or social conscience.

sociopath

/ ˌsəʊsɪˈɒpəθɪ; ˈsəʊsɪəˌpæθ /

noun

1. See psychopath
   psychiatry another name for psychopath

sociopath

1. Someone whose social behavior is extremely abnormal. Sociopaths are interested only in their personal needs and desires, without concern for the effects of their behavior on others. ( Compare psychopath .)

Derived Forms

• sociopathy, noun
• ˌsocioˈpathic, adjective

Other Words From

• soci·o·pathic adjective
• so·ci·op·a·thy [soh-see-, op, -, uh, -thee, soh-shee-], noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of sociopath¹

First recorded in 1940–45; socio- + -path

Example Sentences

In Philipps’s telling, Gallagher is a “narcissistic sociopath” with “ice-blue eyes” who opens fire on old men and little girls.

From Washington Post

Emily has devoted her life to figuring out how to infuse regular humans—as opposed to sociopaths—with superpowers, and she’s getting close to reaching her goal.

From Time

Sam Adam, a defense attorney for Alex, responded by portraying Patrick as a sociopath and noting he had admitted to lying under oath before.

From ProPublica

The constable is right, of course, for what little good his investigatory brainpower does him against a couple of sociopaths.

From Washington Post

By allowing these sociopaths to shut down free speech with violence you are all but demanding a war.

From Vox

Above the notes of praise is a small photo of Guerin wearing a polka dot tie and pocket square, staring at you like a sociopath.

From The Daily Beast

Read a cautionary tale about the seductive and dangerous power of a charlatan sociopath, featuring goats and the American Dream.

From The Daily Beast

Regardless, his turn as wealthy heir/sociopath John du Pont is never less than utterly transfixing and unsettling.

From The Daily Beast

Although the principal had his identity protected, the traditionalists used this incident to cast Michelle as a sociopath.

From The Daily Beast

He knows Crist is a gifted, manipulative political sociopath.

From The Daily Beast

The realization of that phenomenon might help us to resolve our own internal conflict in dealing with the manipulative sociopath.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• lunatic