misanthrope

IPA/ˈmɪsənθrəʊp/
KK[mˈɪsənθrˌop]IPA/ˈmɪsənθrəʊp/

misanthrope — noun

  • misanthropesingular
  • misanthropesplural

1. a person who strongly dislikes people as a group and prefers to stay away from t

1.nounC2
Definition

a person who strongly dislikes people as a group and prefers to stay away from them

Example

After one rude meeting, Daria called the new boss a misanthrope.

call someone a misanthrope

Neighbors think Mr. Chen is a misanthrope because he avoids every block party.

be a misanthrope because ...

Common collocations
  • bitter misanthrope
  • complete misanthrope
  • old misanthrope
Synonyms
  • cynic

    A cynic distrusts people's motives, while a misanthrope dislikes people more broadly.

  • recluse

    A recluse lives apart from others, but may not actually dislike them.

  • introvert

    An introvert prefers quieter company or time alone without hating other people.

Antonyms
  • humanitarian

    A humanitarian shows concern for people and tries to improve their lives.

  • people person

    A people person enjoys being around others and building relationships.

Grammar Patterns

be a misanthrope

become a misanthrope

call someone a misanthrope

sound like a misanthrope

Usage Note

Usually used as a strong judgment, often for someone who avoids social contact on purpose. Stronger than introvert: an introvert may like people but need quiet time, while a misanthrope actively dislikes being around them.

Common Mistakes

My quiet cousin is a misanthrope because she likes reading alone.
My quiet cousin is an introvert because she likes reading alone.
Misanthrope means someone who dislikes people, not simply someone who enjoys solitude.
He is a misanthrope because he expects the trip to fail.
He is a pessimist because he expects the trip to fail.
Misanthrope is about dislike of people, not expecting bad results.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

A misanthrope is the strongest of these words because it suggests real dislike of people as a group. A recluse mainly lives apart from others, but may still care about them. An introvert often prefers quiet places or smaller groups, yet can enjoy close relationships. A cynic distrusts people's motives more than people themselves. A pessimist expects bad results, but that negativity can be about events rather than human beings. If Layla calls her neighbor a misanthrope, she means he cannot stand people and avoids them on purpose. If she calls him an introvert, she only means he needs more private space.

cynic ↗recluseintrovert ↗pessimist

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • be a misanthrope
  • become a misanthrope
  • call someone a misanthrope
  • sound like a misanthrope

Etymology

GreekFrenchEnglish

The word comes from Greek misanthropos, built from roots meaning 'hate' and 'human being'. It passed through French into English and kept the idea of a person who dislikes people in general and stays away from them.