Synonyms of misanthropic

misanthropic

adjective

ˌmi-sᵊn-ˈthrä-pik 

as in cynical

having or showing a deep distrust of human beings and their motives

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• cynical
• ironic
• pessimistic
• sarcastic
• negative
• sardonic
• negativistic
• skeptical
• fatalistic
• derisive
• mocking
• distrustful
• mistrustful
• suspicious
• scornful
• negativist
• defeatist
• jaded
• unsentimental
• worldly-wise
• hard-bitten
• hard-edged
• sophisticated
• hard-boiled
• hardcase

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• optimistic
• positive
• cheerful
• positivist
• positivistic
• trustful
• trusting
• unsuspicious
• naive
• uncynical
• unsophisticated
• romantic
• idealistic
• ingenuous
• innocent
• impractical
• sentimental
• saccharine
• rose-colored
• sappy
• mushy
• maudlin

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective misanthropic differ from other similar words?

The words cynical and pessimistic are common synonyms of misanthropic. While all three words mean "deeply distrustful," misanthropic suggests a rooted distrust and dislike of human beings and their society.

a solitary and misanthropic artist

When would cynical be a good substitute for misanthropic?

The synonyms cynical and misanthropic are sometimes interchangeable, but cynical implies having a sneering disbelief in sincerity or integrity.

cynical about politicians' motives

Where would pessimistic be a reasonable alternative to misanthropic?

The meanings of pessimistic and misanthropic largely overlap; however, pessimistic implies having a gloomy, distrustful view of life.

pessimistic about the future

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of misanthropic

The songs molded a claustrophobic, atmospheric universe out of blast beats, buzz-saw guitars and strangled shrieking, with misanthropic lyrics that explored bleakness, despair, paganism and coldness (both metaphorical and literal). —Elisabeth Vincentelli, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2025

But, then, genuine misanthropic disdain is part of Verhoeven's tool kit. —Tom Gliatto, People.com, 7 Mar. 2025

The role captured all of his ironic charm and misanthropic appeal within the kind of debonair character that the perennial everyman had never quite shown us before. —David Sims, The Atlantic, 27 Feb. 2025

There was much to criticize ESPN for over the years, including the overdose of Yankees-Red Sox games and employing the misanthropic Schilling and repeat PED offender Álex Rodríguez. —Paul Sullivan, Orlando Sentinel, 25 Feb. 2025