antisocial

/ˌæntiˈsəʊʃl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌæntiˈsəʊʃl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌan-tē-ˈsō-shəl ˌan-ˌtī-/ (ame, mw)

antisocial — adjective

1. describing actions that bother, upset, or cause real damage to the people around

1.形容詞B2
釋義

describing actions that bother, upset, or cause real damage to the people around you or to the wider community — for example, smashing bus shelters, playing loud music at 3 a.m., or spraying graffiti on shops.

例句

The town council launched a campaign against antisocial behaviour in the park.

common collocation: antisocial behaviour

Mrs. Patel called the police because her teenage neighbours were being antisocial again.

predicative use: be + antisocial

同義詞
  • disruptive

    focuses on breaking order; weaker moral judgement

  • delinquent

    stronger; suggests young people breaking rules or laws

  • uncivil

    milder; rude rather than damaging

反義詞
  • considerate

    thinking about how your actions affect others

  • law-abiding

    specifically about following rules and laws

文法句型

antisocial + behaviour/activity/conduct

用法筆記

Most often modifies behaviour, conduct, or activity. Distinguish from sense 2: sense 1 describes actions that affect other people negatively, not a person's preference for solitude.

常見錯誤

❌I'm antisocial today, I want to read alone.
✅I feel unsociable today, I want to read alone.
💡for wanting alone time use 'unsociable' or sense 2; sense 1 implies actions that disturb or harm others.

2. preferring to stay alone rather than meet, talk to, or do things with other peop

2.形容詞B2
釋義

preferring to stay alone rather than meet, talk to, or do things with other people — said of someone who skips parties, eats lunch by themselves, or feels drained after small talk.

例句

Sorry for being antisocial, but I'd rather stay home with a book tonight.

informal: apologising for skipping a social event

Paloma has become quite antisocial since she started working from home.

be + become + antisocial

同義詞
  • unsociable

    very close in meaning; slightly more neutral

  • reclusive

    stronger; deliberately living away from others

  • withdrawn

    suggests recent change, often after sadness or stress

反義詞
  • sociable

    enjoying the company of other people

  • outgoing

    actively friendly and confident with strangers

文法句型

be + antisocial

用法筆記

Often used playfully or apologetically about oneself. Subject is usually a person, not their actions. Compare with sense 1: here the meaning is about a personal preference for solitude, not about behaviour that hurts others.

常見錯誤

❌My cat is so antisocial — he hides under the bed.
✅My cat is so unsociable
💡he hides under the bed.' — 'antisocial' for personality is mainly used about people; 'unsociable' is safer for animals.