misanthropic

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adjective mis·an·throp·ic \ˌmi-s^ən-ˈthrä-pik\

Definition of misanthropic

1 : of, relating to, or characteristic of a misanthrope He was shunned because of his miserable misanthropic nature.
2 : marked by a hatred or contempt for humankind The moral corruption he saw around him made him misanthropic.

misanthropically

play \-pi-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

Examples of misanthropic in a Sentence

a misanthropic outlook on life that probably stems from a childhood filled with physical and emotional abuse

Recent Examples of misanthropic from the Web

This film from the misanthropic Warren Ellis word machine had great buzz in the beginning.

— dave banks, WIRED, "10 Comic Book Movies We’re Looking Forward To (And 5 That We Might Catch On DVD)", 17 July 2009

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'misanthropic'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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.

First Known Use of misanthropic

1762

Synonym Discussion of misanthropic

cynical, misanthropic, pessimistic mean deeply distrustful. cynical implies having a sneering disbelief in sincerity or integrity. cynical about politicians' motives misanthropic suggests a rooted distrust and dislike of human beings and their society. a solitary and misanthropic artist pessimistic implies having a gloomy, distrustful view of life. pessimistic about the future