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
• ironical
• ironic
• pessimistic
• sarcastic
• negative
• sardonic
• negativistic
• skeptical
• fatalistic
• derisive
• mocking
• distrustful
• mistrustful
• scornful
• suspicious
• 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
• naïve
• 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

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

Pansy, as clenched and misanthropic an antithesis to Poppy as anyone could imagine, may well join her in that company. —Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 3 Jan. 2025

With its dry, misanthropic humor and rich performances, The Holdovers became an awards-season darling, earning multiple Oscar nominations — including Randolph’s win for Best Supporting Actress. —Janey Tracey, EW.com, 29 Nov. 2024