antisocial

adjective

an·​ti·​so·​cial ˌan-tē-ˈsō-shəl  ˌan-ˌtī- 

1

: averse to the society of others : unsociable

2

: hostile or harmful to organized society

especially : being or marked by behavior deviating sharply from the social norm

3

psychology : of, relating to, or characteristic of antisocial personality disorder

Although community placement before discharge reduces subsequent antisocial behavior, most have apparently required outpatient mental health services indefinitely …

—Nathaniel S. Lehrman

antisocially

ˌan-tē-ˈsō-shə-lē

ˌan-ˌtī- 

adverb

Synonyms

• detached
• distant
• cold
• asocial
• cool
• unsociable
• reserved
• aloof

Examples of antisocial in a Sentence

She's not being antisocial; she's just shy at parties.

she's not antisocial, just extremely shy

Recent Examples on the Web

As the family starts to get settled in their new environment, their oldest son, Jeremy (Beddoes) begins to show increasingly antisocial and dangerous behavioral issues in their new home. —Leia Mendoza, Variety, 23 Oct. 2025

Activities that capitalize on strengths, such as the arts, sports and clubs, foster belonging and purpose while reducing isolation and reliance on antisocial peers. —Caitlin Cavanagh, The Conversation, 15 Oct. 2025

Even setting aside its usual criticisms (antisocial, privacy-invading, a bad omen for human connection), the necklace simply didn’t work as advertised. —Jordan Blum, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2025

Someone with antisocial traits may appear calm most of the time, but suddenly react strongly to obstacles or conflict. —Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1759, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing antisocial

• antisocial personality disorder

Rhymes for antisocial

• biosocial
• homosocial
• psychosocial
• asocial
• prosocial
• unsocial
• biopsychosocial
• social

Kids Definition

antisocial

adjective

an·​ti·​so·​cial ˌant-i-ˈsō-shəl 

ˌan-ˌtī-

1

: unfriendly sense 1

2

: being against or bad for society

especially : being or exhibiting behavior that is very different from accepted behavior

Medical Definition

antisocial

adjective

an·​ti·​so·​cial -ˈsō-shəl 

: hostile or harmful to organized society: as

a

: being or marked by behavior deviating sharply from the social norm

b

: of, relating to, or characterized by an antisocial personality, the antisocial personality disorder, or behavior typical of either