misanthropy

IPA/mɪˈsænθrəpi/
IPA/mɪˈsænθrəpi/

misanthropy — noun

1. a strong feeling of dislike or distrust toward human beings as a whole, often le

1.nounC1
Definition

a strong feeling of dislike or distrust toward human beings as a whole, often leading someone to avoid spending time with other people.

Example

Amani's growing misanthropy made her quit the book club and start gardening alone.

growing + misanthropy (adjective-noun collocation)

The writer's novels show a dark misanthropy that critics call either brilliant or tiresome.

dark misanthropy (adjective-noun collocation)

Common collocations
  • deep misanthropy
  • growing misanthropy
  • sense of misanthropy
  • misanthropy toward
Synonyms
  • cynicism

    focuses on distrust of people's motives rather than outright dislike; can be more intellectual in tone

  • pessimism

    broader — refers to expecting the worst in any situation, not just toward people

  • hostility

    more active and aggressive; misanthropy can be a quiet avoidance rather than open antagonism

Antonyms
  • philanthropy

    active concern for the welfare of people; the conceptual opposite of misanthropy

  • altruism

    selfless concern for others; describes motivation rather than a general attitude

Grammar Patterns

deep/seething/growing + misanthropy

misanthropy + toward + noun

Usage Note

Frequently modified by adjectives such as 'deep', 'dark', 'growing', or 'seething'. In modern usage, misanthropy often describes a worldview or philosophical stance rather than casual dislike — it implies a broad, stable attitude toward people in general, not a temporary mood.

Common Mistakes

She feels misanthropy toward her boss for giving her extra work.
She feels misanthropy toward people in general, not just her boss.
Misanthropy describes a general attitude toward all people, not a specific grudge against one person.
His misanthropy about the weather spoils every trip.
His misanthropy makes him avoid social gatherings.
Misanthropy relates to people, not to things or situations.

Word family

  • misanthrope
    nounC1
  • misanthropic
    adjectiveC1
  • misanthropically
    adverbC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words describe a negative outlook, but they differ in scope and focus. Misanthropy is the most specific: it targets people as a whole — a misanthrope dislikes or distrusts humanity itself. Cynicism, by contrast, targets people's motives: a cynic believes everyone is selfish, but may still enjoy company. Pessimism is broader still — it predicts bad outcomes in any area (weather, politics, one's own plans), not just where other people are involved. Hostility is more active and situational: a hostile person shows open anger or aggression, whereas a misanthrope might simply avoid others. In a sentence: 'Timon's misanthropy drove him to the wilderness; her cynicism made her skeptical of every compliment; his pessimism saw failure in every new project.'

misanthropy ↗cynicism ↗pessimism ↗hostility ↗

Common collocations

Phrases

  • a deep sense of misanthropy
  • a growing feeling of misanthropy

Prepositions

Etymology

GreekLatinFrenchEnglish

Misanthropy comes from the Greek words 'misos' (hatred) and 'anthrōpos' (human being). The ancient Greek playwright Menander used the word 'misanthrōpos' to describe a person who avoids or hates other people. The term entered English through Latin and French in the 1500s and has been used ever since to describe a general dislike of humanity.

First known use

1625

1625, in the meaning defined above