Misanthropist Meaning and Examples

A misanthropist is a person who has a general dislike, distrust, or contempt for humanity and often harbors negative feelings or attitudes toward people in general. Misanthropists tend to view human behavior and society in a pessimistic or cynical light and may believe that people are inherently selfish, cruel, or untrustworthy. They may prefer solitude or the company of a select few individuals over socializing with larger groups. It is important to note that misanthropy represents an extreme and uncommon outlook, and most people do not hold such negative views of humanity.

What is the difference between a misanthropist and a misanthrope? Misanthropist is the anglicized equivalent of misanthrope from the Greek word misanthrōpos, which means “hating humankind.” The two terms can be used interchangeably and both mean a person who hates or distrusts humankind.

Example sentences

John's reclusive lifestyle and harsh criticism of society earned him a reputation as a misanthropist.
The famous author was known as a misanthropist due to the bleak and cynical themes in his novels.
She had become such a misanthropist that she avoided social interactions whenever possible.
The character in the novel is portrayed as a misanthropist who has lost faith in humanity.
Even though she identified as a misanthropist, she secretly yearned for meaningful human relationships.
The misanthropist's caustic humor and biting sarcasm made him a polarizing figure in literary circles.
The misanthropist's art often reflected his negative view of human nature.
The misanthropist found solace in the company of animals, believing them to be more trustworthy than humans.
The recluse lived like a true misanthropist, with no desire for human interaction or companionship.
It was clear from his writings that the philosopher was a committed misanthropist.

Want to sound like a native speaker?

Engram’s AI-powered grammar checker makes your English sound like a native speaker’s, suggesting natural English expressions on top of fixing grammar, spelling, punctuation, word order, and vocabulary.