Antisocial: meaning, definitions and examples

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antisocial

[ˌæntiˈsoʊʃəl ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

behavior

Opposed or hostile to the well-being of society; unwilling or unable to associate in a normal or friendly way with other people.

Synonyms

reclusive, unsociable, withdrawn.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
antisocial	Used to describe behavior that is against societal norms, often associated with harmful or disruptive actions. This term can have a negative connotation. His antisocial behavior led to arguments with his neighbors. Spray painting on public property is considered antisocial.
unsociable	Describes someone who tends to avoid social interactions or does not enjoy being around others. This word can carry a slightly negative connotation, but not as strong as 'antisocial'. She is quite unsociable and prefers to stay home rather than attend parties. His unsociable behavior made it difficult for him to make friends.
reclusive	Refers to a person who chooses to live in isolation from society, often intentionally and peacefully. It typically does not carry a negative connotation. The reclusive author lived in a cabin in the woods. After retiring, he became reclusive, rarely leaving his home.
withdrawn	Describes someone who is very quiet and not interested in social activities, often appearing distant or detached. It can imply a sense of emotional withdrawal or shyness. After the incident, he became withdrawn and didn’t talk to anyone. The child was withdrawn and rarely participated in class.

Examples of usage

He was always quiet and antisocial at parties.
The antisocial behavior of the teenagers worried the neighbors.
She preferred to work alone, displaying antisocial tendencies.

^{Context #2 | Psychology}

personality disorder

A personality disorder characterized by a long-standing pattern of disregard for other people's rights, often accompanied by aggressive behavior without remorse.

Synonyms

criminal, psychopathic, sociopathic.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
antisocial	Describes someone who avoids social interaction and prefers to be alone. This is generally neutral and not necessarily related to harmful behavior. John has always been antisocial, preferring to read books at home rather than go to parties. She felt antisocial and declined the invitation to the group dinner.

Word

Description / Examples

antisocial

Describes someone who avoids social interaction and prefers to be alone. This is generally neutral and not necessarily related to harmful behavior.

John has always been antisocial, preferring to read books at home rather than go to parties.
She felt antisocial and declined the invitation to the group dinner.

Examples of usage

The psychiatrist diagnosed him with antisocial personality disorder.
People with antisocial traits may have difficulty forming close relationships.
Antisocial individuals may engage in criminal activities.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

Some individuals feel more comfortable alone or in small groups due to their personalities, which can lead to being labeled as antisocial.
Certain mental health conditions can make social situations very uncomfortable, causing individuals to withdraw from social interactions.
It's important to differentiate between being shy and being antisocial; shyness involves fear of social situations while antisocial behavior often reflects a choice.

Sociology

Cultural factors influence how antisocial behavior is perceived; in some cultures, solitude is valued, while in others, it's frowned upon.
Technology has changed social interactions for many, with some individuals preferring online connections over face-to-face communication.
Urban settings often experience higher rates of perceived antisocial behavior due to crowded environments and the anonymity they can create.

Literature

Many classic literary characters, like Holden Caulfield from 'The Catcher in the Rye,' display signs of antisocial tendencies, often representing deeper themes of isolation.
Antisocial characters are frequently used in literature to explore themes of alienation and personal struggle.
Modern literature often reflects the internal struggles of individuals who feel disconnected from society, portraying a variety of reasons behind antisocial behaviors.

Pop Culture

Films often depict antisocial characters as misunderstood geniuses or rebels, such as in movies like 'Fight Club' or 'A Beautiful Mind.'
In music, many artists express antisocial feelings through lyrics, resonating with listeners who feel similarly disconnected from society.
Popular video game characters often embody antisocial traits, allowing players to explore these themes in interactive situations.

Historical Context

Throughout history, figures known for their antisocial behavior have included intellectuals or artists who preferred isolation for creativity.
The term 'antisocial' evolved over time; in the 18th century, it referred more generally to individuals not conforming to social norms.
Historically, some societies treated antisocial behavior through isolation, seeing it as a threat to communal harmony.

Translations

Translations of the word "antisocial" in other languages:

🇵🇹 antissocial

🇮🇳 असामाजिक

🇩🇪 antisozial

🇮🇩 antisosial

🇺🇦 антисоціальний

🇵🇱 antyspołeczny

🇯🇵 反社会的 (はんしゃかいてき)

🇫🇷 antisocial

🇪🇸 antisocial

🇹🇷 antisosyal

🇰🇷 반사회적 (반사회적인)

🇸🇦 معادي للمجتمع

🇨🇿 antisociální

🇸🇰 antisociálny

🇨🇳 反社会 (fǎn shèhuì)

🇸🇮 antisocialen

🇮🇸 andfélagslegur

🇰🇿 антисоциалды

🇬🇪 ანტისოციალური

🇦🇿 antisosial

🇲🇽 antisocial

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #16,440, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.

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16437 howl
16438 thwart
16439 underline
16440 antisocial
16441 secretariat
16442 trickle
16443 lexicon
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