misanthropic
adjective
Did you know?
Jonathan Swift was famous for the misanthropy of works such as Gulliver's Travels which make fun of all kinds of human foolishness. But in spite of his apparent misanthropic attitude, he spent a third of his income on founding a hospital and another third on other charities—certainly not the acts of a true misanthrope. Today we often use synonyms such as cynic and grinch for misanthropic types—while hoping we don't meet too many of them.
Synonyms
- cynical
- pessimistic
Example Sentences
Mike Postalakis, SPIN, 3 Aug. 2022 Vanessa Solomon, the book’s main character, is a privileged and misanthropic French-American translator, who, in her spare time (which is every single moment) hates her famous movie star twin sister. Mike Postalakis, SPIN, 3 Aug. 2022 Piers is a doctor and James admittedly based his misanthropic approach to life and terrible bedside manner on television's Dr. House (Hugh Laurie). Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 28 July 2022 When spies mess up in the British intelligence services, they get sent to Slough House, the setting of this misanthropic drama starring Gary Oldman. Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 13 July 2022 Men is indeed an anxious, even misanthropic film, rapturous in its vision of solitude and quick to remind the viewer of how fragile and fleeting that solitude can be. Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 18 May 2022 Nicholson would win his third Oscar for playing a misanthropic, misogynistic author who forges an unlikely friendship with a waitress and an artist. Ben Flanagan | Bflanagan@al.com, al, 22 Apr. 2022 But that is misanthropic—maybe, at its core, inhumane. Latria Graham, Outside Online, 21 Sep. 2020 Helen Mirren plays a single mother who develops a relationship with a misanthropic author (Jack Nicholson) in James L. Brook’s winning dramedy. Ben Flanagan | Bflanagan@al.com, al, 11 Feb. 2022 See More Word History
1762, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Medical Definition
misanthropic
adjective
misanthropic
adjective
Synonyms & Similar Words
- cynical
- pessimistic
- ironic
- sarcastic
- negative
- sardonic
- negativistic
- ironical
- fatalistic
- negativist
- skeptical
- derisive
- distrustful
- mistrustful
- scornful
- mocking
- defeatist
- suspicious
- jaded
- unsentimental
- hard-bitten
- hard-edged
- worldly-wise
- sophisticated
- hardcase
- hard-boiled
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- optimistic
- positivistic
- positivist
- positive
- cheerful
- uncynical
- idealistic
- unsophisticated
- unsuspicious
- naive
- trustful
- naïve
- trusting
- romantic
- sentimental
- maudlin
- innocent
- impractical
- saccharine
- sappy
- ingenuous
- rose-colored
- mushy
Synonym Chooser
The words cynical and pessimistic are common synonyms of misanthropic. While all three words mean "deeply distrustful," misanthropic suggests a rooted distrust and dislike of human beings and their society.
The synonyms cynical and misanthropic are sometimes interchangeable, but cynical implies having a sneering disbelief in sincerity or integrity.
The meanings of pessimistic and misanthropic largely overlap; however, pessimistic implies having a gloomy, distrustful view of life.