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The essence of misanthrope might be understood in modern parlance as “haters gonna hate.” Adopted in the early 17th century from Greek misanthrōpos, “hating humankind,” (from misein, “to hate,” and anthrōpos, “human being”) its use was encouraged by French playwright Molière’s 1666 satiric comedy Le Misanthrope, which depicts a bitter critic of society who chooses exile over contact with other people. Misanthrope has a close relation in misanthropy, “a hatred or distrust of humankind,” which in turn has an opposite that, happily, is more common than either: philanthropy most often refers to the practice of giving time and money to help others; its Greek root means “loving humankind.” Philanthropes also exist, though they’re usually referred to as philanthropists.
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Misanthropes and Other Haters
Misanthrope comes from the Greek misanthrōpos “hating humankind” and was very likely popularized by the French playwright Moliere's Le Misanthrope, which depicts a bitter critic of society who chooses exile over contact with other people. In English, misanthrope (or its anglicized equivalent, misanthropist) has been applied to many a perceived antisocial crank, from satirist Jonathan Swift to philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche to Charles Dicken’s character Ebenezer Scrooge. It is one of several English words beginning with mis- (from Greek misein "to hate") naming persons who despise something or someone. The most familiar example nowadays is misogynist, used of a person who hates women. Two lesser-known variations on the theme are misandrist “one who hates men” and misopedist “a person who hates children.”
Examples of misanthrope in a Sentence
James Morris, Wilson Quarterly, Autumn 2005
It is perhaps not the healthiest tendency for a man who is already if not a hermit at least a part-time misanthrope.
—Edmund White, Vanity Fair, September 1996
Rather she is the genuine article, a misanthrope so pure she can't understand "why solitary confinement is considered punishment."
—Lewis Burke Frumkes, New York Times Book Review, 10 May 1992
The young people thought him a gloomy misanthrope, because he never joined in their sports—the old men thought still more hardly of him, because he followed no trade, …
—Washington Irving, Salmagundi, November 24, 1807,
in History, Tales, and Sketches, 1977
a former misanthrope who now professes a newly discovered love of mankind
Graham Hillard, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 21 Feb. 2025
In the face of international law enforcement pressure, dozens of prosecutions, and worldwide disrepute, the network of young sadists, misanthropes, child predators, and extortionists known as Com and 764 has not shrunk away into obscurity.
—Ali Winston, WIRED, 12 Mar. 2025
Among the roster of holidaymakers is Rick, a greasy misanthrope played by Walton Goggins, and his significantly younger girlfriend, Chelsea (Aimee Lou Wood), a fun, flirty babe whose perpetual good mood is at complete odds with her partner.
—Olivia Petter, Vogue, 4 Mar. 2025
Edward is a misanthrope and a scold (The Imitation Game).
—Graham Hillard, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for misanthrope
Cite this Entry
“Misanthrope.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/misanthrope. Accessed 6 May. 2025.
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