psychopath

noun

psy·​cho·​path ˈsī-kə-ˌpath 

ˈsī-kō-

: a mentally unstable person

especially : a person having an egocentric and antisocial personality marked by a lack of remorse for one's actions, an absence of empathy for others, and often criminal tendencies

Synonyms

• bug
• crackbrain
• crazy
• fool
• fruitcake
• head case
• loon
• loony
• lunatic
• maniac
• nut
• nutcase
• nutter [British slang]
• psycho
• sickie
• sicko
• wacko
• whacko

Examples of psychopath in a Sentence

declared that he was a dangerous psychopath

Recent Examples on the Web

How did the character of Joel—who is not a straightforward psychopath, if there is such a thing—come to you? —Deborah Treisman, The New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2025

As 40,000 acres burn, animals are incinerated alive and the human death toll rises, only a psychopath would look for advantage. —Sabrina Haake, Chicago Tribune, 18 Jan. 2025

In terms of the narcissistic psychopath thing, at the end of the day, these contestants have to watch out for themselves. —Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Jan. 2025

But with a twist: What if the nanny is a freaking psychopath? —Vulture Editors, Vulture, 7 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1885, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for psychopath

• aftermath
• multipath
• bloodbath
• footpath
• towpath
• warpath
• hath
• lath
• math
• path
• rath
• spath

Kids Definition

psychopath

noun

psy·​cho·​path ˈsī-kə-ˌpath 

: a mentally ill or unstable person

especially : one who does not feel guilty about not living up to normal social and moral responsibilities and exhibits a disregard for the feelings and safety of others

Medical Definition

psychopath

noun

psy·​cho·​path ˈsī-kə-ˌpath 

1

: a person having an egocentric and antisocial personality marked by a lack of remorse for one's actions, an absence of empathy for others, and often criminal tendencies

2

formerly : a person with antisocial personality disorder