misanthropy
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of misanthropy
From the Greek word mīsanthrōpía, dating back to 1650–60. See misanthrope, -y 3
Explanation
Misanthropy is a mistrust of other people and a general hatred for mankind. So people with this character trait aren't much fun at parties. If you're full of misanthropy, then you don't care too much for other people — you're a misanthrope who basically hates everyone else in the world. Misanthropy isn't about disliking specific people, but disliking human beings in general. That makes misanthropy different from sexism or racism, which are prejudices aimed at specific types of people.
Vocabulary lists containing misanthropy
Power Prefix: mis-
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Florida's B.E.S.T. Roots: mis
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In 1991 Will Self disgorged himself on to the British literary scene with “The Quantity Theory of Insanity,” a book of short stories seething with misanthropy and logorrhea.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026
The aim of “The Holdovers” is to cure Paul of his misanthropy, at least temporarily, by having him bond with one of his best but also most difficult students.
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 26, 2023
Accusations of "misanthropy" were even thrown at the film by Salon's own Charles Taylor in 2004.
From Salon • Apr. 30, 2023
In what was perhaps the most negative review, The Telegraph's Chris Bennion said the show "wallows in its own cynical slurry pit of emotion and thin-skinned misanthropy".
From BBC • Jan. 17, 2022
I learned to prefer peace to war, cleverness to stupidity, love to hate, sensitivity to stoicism, humility to pomposity, reconciliation to hostility, harmony to strife, patience to rashness, gregariousness to misanthropy, creation to annihilation.
From "Kaffir Boy: An Autobiography" by Mark Mathabane
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
