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

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.
Recent Examples of misanthropic 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 Already one of British television’s brightest rising stars after her award-winning turn on the Netflix hit Sex Education, Wood has a plum role as Chelsea, the floaty though street-smart girlfriend of Walton Goggin’s misanthropic grifter, in Lotus Season 3. Charlie Campbell / Koh Samui, TIME, 15 Feb. 2025 But Ginsberg, by this point, is also a media brand, a misanthropic purist. Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 27 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for misanthropic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for misanthropic
cynical
Adjective
  • Too often, leaders are stuck between moral maximalism and cynical cost-cutting.
    HEC Paris Insights, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
  • Mamdani proposes to pay for these splendid gifts to the city’s voters by raising taxes even further on the city’s top income earners, in the cynical belief that those who make up his tax base are stuck there, cannot flee, and are thus cows to be helplessly milked.
    The Editors, National Review, 25 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Misanthropic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/misanthropic. Accessed 6 Jul. 2025.

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