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Misanthrope: meaning, definitions and examples

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misanthrope

 

[ˈmɪs(ə)nˌθrəʊp ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

person who dislikes humankind

A misanthrope is someone who has a general dislike, distrust, or hatred of the human species. Misanthropes often avoid social interactions and prefer solitude. They may believe that humans are selfish, cruel, or foolish.

Synonyms

cynic, hermit, recluse, skeptic.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
misanthrope

This word is used to describe someone who has a deep-seated distrust and dislike for humanity as a whole. It often has a very negative connotation.

  • He became a misanthrope after years of witnessing corruption and greed in the corporate world.
  • The character Scrooge from 'A Christmas Carol' initially appears to be a classic misanthrope.
cynic

This term applies to someone who believes that people are motivated purely by self-interest rather than altruistic reasons. It often carries a disapproving tone.

  • She is such a cynic; she doesn't believe anyone does anything out of the goodness of their heart.
  • His cynical view of politics makes it hard for him to participate constructively.
recluse

This term describes someone who deliberately chooses to isolate themselves from society. It has neutral to slightly negative connotations, depending on the context.

  • The author was a famous recluse, rarely seen in public.
  • After the tragic event, she became a recluse, avoiding all social interactions.
hermit

This word is used for someone who chooses to live in isolation, often for spiritual or personal reasons, without necessarily any dislike for people.

  • The old hermit lived alone in the mountains, away from the hustle and bustle of city life.
  • After retiring, he became somewhat of a hermit, spending his days in peaceful solitude.
skeptic

This word is used for someone who questions or doubts accepted beliefs, ideas, or claims. The tone can be neutral or slightly negative depending on context.

  • He didn’t believe in ghosts and was always a skeptic when his friends told ghost stories.
  • As a skeptic, she always demanded strong evidence before accepting any claims.

Examples of usage

  • He lived as a misanthrope, rarely leaving his house or interacting with others.
  • The character in the novel was portrayed as a misanthrope, always criticizing society and its values.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Greek 'misanthropos', where 'miso' means 'hate' and 'anthropos' means 'human'.
  • It first appeared in literature in the 17th century, popularized by playwright Molière in his work 'The Misanthrope'.
  • In various cultures, terms for misanthropy reveal the universal inclination to critique human behavior.

Psychology

  • Misanthropy can stem from personal experiences, leading to distrust or disappointment in human nature.
  • Studies suggest that misanthropes often feel more empathy for animals than for humans, highlighting their complex emotional landscape.
  • Some psychologists argue that a degree of misanthropy may actually protect individuals from social stress.

Literature

  • The archetype of the misanthrope appears in various literary genres, representing characters who reject societal norms.
  • One of the best-known misanthropic characters, Alceste, from Molière’s play, critiques the hypocrisy of society.
  • Many contemporary writers explore misanthropy as a response to modern life's complexities and social media interactions.

Cultural Representation

  • In film and television, misanthropic characters are often depicted as witty anti-heroes, illustrating their struggles with society.
  • The concept of misanthropy often features in philosophical discussions about human nature and ethics.
  • Music and art frequently express themes of isolation, with misanthropic views serving as inspiration for numerous works.

Impact on Society

  • Though misanthropes prefer solitude, their critiques of society can often spark discussions on social change.
  • Some misanthropes become activists, using their disillusionment as motivation to challenge societal flaws.
  • Histories of notable misanthropes, like writer Emil Cioran, illustrate how their views can challenge mainstream thought.

Translations

Translations of the word "misanthrope" in other languages:

🇵🇹 misantropo

🇮🇳 मानवद्वेषी

🇩🇪 Misanthrop

🇮🇩 misantrop

🇺🇦 мізантроп

🇵🇱 mizantrop

🇯🇵 人間嫌い (にんげんぎらい)

🇫🇷 misanthrope

🇪🇸 misántropo

🇹🇷 misanthrop

🇰🇷 인간 혐오자 (ingan hyeomoja)

🇸🇦 كاره البشر

🇨🇿 misantrop

🇸🇰 mizantrop

🇨🇳 厌世者 (yànshìzhě)

🇸🇮 mizantrop

🇮🇸 mannhatari

🇰🇿 адамзатқа жеккөрінішті

🇬🇪 მიზანტროპი

🇦🇿 misantrоp

🇲🇽 misántropo

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #34,751 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.