Misanthrope: meaning, definitions and examples

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.