as in distant
having or showing a lack of friendliness or interest in others
an asocial and grumpy artist lives alone on the top floor
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Recent Examples of asocial
During a difficult, awkward stage of life, already complicated by the harsh spotlight of contemporary social media, teenagers will likely turn even more inward and asocial, relying on synthetic companions to understand the world around them.
—
Reece Rogers, WIRED, 11 Dec. 2024
According to the authors of the research, the results challenge the traditional conception of cats as socially aloof, and suggest that some species — whether considered social or asocial — acquire the ability to recognize people’s voices as a result of close contact, rather than domestication.
—Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 15 Feb. 2024
While antisocial behavior refers to actions contrary to normal social behavior, asocial behavior describes a lack of desire or inability to engage with others socially.910 What Other Disorders Look Like ASPD?
—Cristina Mutchler, Health, 21 June 2023
The culture presents to us a picture of hackers which is a sensational caricature: Somebody who is almost completely asocial, maybe has mental illness, maybe is morbidly overweight.
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 27 May 2023
See All Example Sentences for asocial
Reece Rogers, WIRED, 11 Dec. 2024
According to the authors of the research, the results challenge the traditional conception of cats as socially aloof, and suggest that some species — whether considered social or asocial — acquire the ability to recognize people’s voices as a result of close contact, rather than domestication.
—Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 15 Feb. 2024
While antisocial behavior refers to actions contrary to normal social behavior, asocial behavior describes a lack of desire or inability to engage with others socially.910 What Other Disorders Look Like ASPD?
—Cristina Mutchler, Health, 21 June 2023
The culture presents to us a picture of hackers which is a sensational caricature: Somebody who is almost completely asocial, maybe has mental illness, maybe is morbidly overweight.
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 27 May 2023
See All Example Sentences for asocial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for asocial
Adjective
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As part of the regional consolidation, offices in distant counties could now answer calls and schedule appointments for Jean’s office, and vice versa.—
E. Tammy Kim,
New Yorker,
7 May 2026
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The production is cold, distant, and uncertain, like the world lately, but within the song the lyrics feel warm and comforting.—
Time,
Time,
6 May 2026
Adjective
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The treatments were carried out at Ali’s semi-detached home in Leicester, which was described by investigators and witnesses as unsanitary and unsuitable for clinical care, the news outlet reported.—
Angelique Brenes,
PEOPLE,
1 May 2026
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The property also features a detached, two-story guest house with two independent living spaces.—
Rodney Ho,
AJC.com,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Amanda Lee Myers is a senior crime reporter who covers the death penalty, cold case investigations and breaking news for USA TODAY.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
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In Milan, Pietrantoni had just worked with a design studio on an installation with cold lighting, which was drawing interested crowds.—
Adriane Quinlan,
Curbed,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Tess responds to her parents’ neglect through antisocial behavior at school, first by glitching out a self-driving car by gluing a traffic cone onto the hood, and then by tucking a driving trophy into her back.—
Scott Tobias,
Vulture,
12 Apr. 2026
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That means that the child is inadvertently traumatized and is antisocial.—
Megan Shinn,
CBS News,
12 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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John Wayne would be Cleon if John Wayne could ever imagine being that cool.—
Chang-rae Lee,
New Yorker,
3 May 2026
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The other method is by hand-washing the blanket in a bathtub with cool water and a wool detergent.—
Ashley Poskin,
Martha Stewart,
2 May 2026
Adjective
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Hospitality fared well in Deputy’s study, making up half of the 10 happiest job sectors, despite the sector’s reputation for high stress, unsociable hours, and low pay.—
Orianna Rosa Royle,
Fortune,
31 Aug. 2025
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Ask Amy: My unsociable neighbor doesn't know about me and his wife.—
Bay Area News Group,
The Mercury News,
2 June 2024
Adjective
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For the priests, this was a case of demonic possession due to witch-craft, and Mary’s crabby, aloof neighbor Elizabeth Jackson was the prime witch suspect.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Apr. 2026
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The pop star needs a dress for a comeback show the following weekend, just days away, which Sam and her aloof assistant Hilda (Hunter Schafer, wasted) say can’t be done.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Asocial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/asocial. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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