Misanthrope
noun /ˈmɪs.ən.θrəʊp/ — A person who dislikes humankind in general.
Definition
A person who holds a general dislike, distrust, or disdain for the human species and human society; one who avoids human contact.
Beyond the definition
Misanthrope carries a kind of exhausted dignity — the person who has simply seen enough of humanity to stop expecting much from it. There's often more sadness than cruelty in the misanthrope; many became one by caring too much and being let down too often. Molière made him a comedy. Ambrose Bierce made him a saint.
Origin & history
From Greek misanthrōpos, from misein ('to hate') + anthrōpos ('human being'). The hater of humans — named and known since antiquity.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
He had become a misanthrope in his later years, preferring the company of books to people.
She called herself a misanthrope, though her genuine warmth for individuals told a different story.
How to use it
This entry uses a noun. Follow the examples for articles and singular or plural forms; not every noun takes “a” or “an.”
Choose “Misanthrope” when the meaning fits your context: A person who holds a general dislike, distrust, or disdain for the human species and human society; one who avoids human contact.
Synonyms
cynic, recluse, hater of humanity, antisocial
Antonyms
philanthropist, humanist, altruist
Related words
- cynic
- recluse
- philanthropist
- misogynist
Misanthrope vs cynic
A cynic distrusts people's motives — especially their claimed virtue or goodwill — but continues to engage with the world, often with darkly amused detachment. A misanthrope dislikes humanity more broadly and may withdraw from it entirely. The cynic is still in the game, just expecting the worst; the misanthrope may have given up on the game. Many cynics become misanthropes over time. Cynicism is a stance; misanthropy is a relationship with the entire species.
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Choosing the solitary path upward
An adult walks alone with a wooden staff along a high, narrow mountain ridge, far above the forested, inhabited valley below.
By choosing a narrow ridge high above the world, the person emphasizes a preference for solitude over human contact. This visualizes a misanthropic inclination, showing a movement away from society and toward the vast, empty reaches of the landscape.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Misanthrope" mean?
Misanthrope is noun meaning: A person who dislikes humankind in general.. A person who holds a general dislike, distrust, or disdain for the human species and human society; one who avoids human contact.
Where does the word "Misanthrope" come from?
From Greek misanthrōpos, from misein ('to hate') + anthrōpos ('human being'). The hater of humans — named and known since antiquity.