antisocial

adjective

an·​ti·​so·​cial ˌan-tē-ˈsō-shəl How to pronounce antisocial (audio) ˌan-ˌtī- How to pronounce antisocial (audio)
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- How to pronounce antisocial (audio)
adverb

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
To solve the murder of Treasury Department honcho Raymond King (J.K. Simmons, getting out while the getting is good) our fabled, antisocial hero forges an uneasy allegiance of convenience with the dead man’s protégé, Marybeth (Cynthia Addai-Robinson). A.a. Dowd, Rolling Stone, 25 Apr. 2025 Many of them show signs of problem behavior in their early years and then engage in antisocial or violent behavior for most of their lives. Jens Ludwig, Chicago Tribune, 13 Apr. 2025 More than a decade later, at age 15, the children self-reported on their antisocial behavior. John Yoo and John Shu, Newsweek, 23 Jan. 2025 Rather, this person’s behavior is blatantly antisocial and concerning to boot. R. Eric Thomas, The Mercury News, 27 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for antisocial

Word History

First Known Use

1759, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of antisocial was in 1759

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Cite this Entry

“Antisocial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/antisocial. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

antisocial

adjective
an·​ti·​so·​cial ˌant-i-ˈsō-shəl How to pronounce antisocial (audio)
ˌan-ˌtī-
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 How to pronounce antisocial (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on antisocial

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