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psychopath
noun
psy·cho·path
ˈsī-kə-ˌpath
ˈsī-kō-
: a mentally unstable person
especially
: a person having an egocentric and antisocial personality marked by a lack of remorse for one's actions, an absence of empathy for others, and often criminal tendencies
Synonyms
Examples of psychopath in a Sentence
declared that he was a dangerous psychopath
Recent Examples on the Web
Mid-way through the Christmas-set Terrifier 3, Thornton's jubilant psychopath creates a new torture instrument, a tank of liquid nitrogen rigged with a projectile funnel.
—Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 12 Oct. 2024
The amygdala, which processes fear, is less reactive in psychopaths.
—Gautam Mukunda, Forbes, 26 Sep. 2024
Euphoria’s resident narcissist psychopath Jacob Elordi will play Heathcliff opposite Barbie girl Margot Robbie’s it’s-me-I’m-Cathy in the latest adaptation of Emily Brontë’s romantic tale (or brutally vengeful, horrifying, supernatural Gothic masterpiece, depending on your standpoint).
—Raven Smith, Vogue, 25 Sep. 2024
For two supposedly unhinged psychopaths who are meant to be enabling each other’s madness, Arthur and Lee don’t have a scintilla of creativity between them.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 4 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for psychopath
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'psychopath.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
International Scientific Vocabulary
First Known Use
1885, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near psychopath
Cite this Entry
“Psychopath.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/psychopath. Accessed 24 Oct. 2024.
Kids Definition
psychopath
noun
psy·cho·path
ˈsī-kə-ˌpath
: a mentally ill or unstable person
especially
: one who does not feel guilty about not living up to normal social and moral responsibilities and exhibits a disregard for the feelings and safety of others
Medical Definition
psychopath
noun
psy·cho·path
ˈsī-kə-ˌpath
1
: a person having an egocentric and antisocial personality marked by a lack of remorse for one's actions, an absence of empathy for others, and often criminal tendencies
2
formerly
: a person with antisocial personality disorder
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