antisocial

adjective

an·​ti·​so·​cial ˌan-tē-ˈsō-shəl How to pronounce antisocial (audio) ˌan-ˌtī- How to pronounce antisocial (audio)
1
: averse to the society of others : unsociable
2
: hostile or harmful to organized society
especially : being or marked by behavior deviating sharply from the social norm
3
psychology : of, relating to, or characteristic of antisocial personality disorder
Although community placement before discharge reduces subsequent antisocial behavior, most have apparently required outpatient mental health services indefinitely …Nathaniel S. Lehrman
antisocially
ˌan-tē-ˈsō-shə-lē
ˌan-ˌtī- How to pronounce antisocial (audio)
adverb

Examples of antisocial in a Sentence

She's not being antisocial; she's just shy at parties. she's not antisocial, just extremely shy
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Screaming and antisocial behavior may not seem like beloved traits, but these penguins are revered in Māori culture as taonga, or treasure, even gracing the country’s $5 bill. Alex Fox, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Oct. 2024 The biggest concern, according to eugenicists, was that these antisocial tendencies were inborn—that genes for crime and poverty were being smuggled into the country in the blood of immigrants. Arthur Caplan, Scientific American, 17 Oct. 2024 Read the full Capricorn Daily Horoscope Aquarius (January 20 - February 18) Feeling antisocial? USA TODAY, 13 Sep. 2024 Years later, Lionel is haunted by guilt over his failure to intervene in Jeff’s antisocial behavior. Judy Berman, TIME, 17 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for antisocial 

Word History

First Known Use

1759, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of antisocial was in 1759

Dictionary Entries Near antisocial

Cite this Entry

“Antisocial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/antisocial. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

antisocial

adjective
an·​ti·​so·​cial ˌant-i-ˈsō-shəl How to pronounce antisocial (audio)
ˌan-ˌtī-
1
2
: being against or bad for society
especially : being or exhibiting behavior that is very different from accepted behavior

Medical Definition

antisocial

adjective
an·​ti·​so·​cial -ˈsō-shəl How to pronounce antisocial (audio)
: hostile or harmful to organized society: as
a
: being or marked by behavior deviating sharply from the social norm
b
: of, relating to, or characterized by an antisocial personality, the antisocial personality disorder, or behavior typical of either

More from Merriam-Webster on antisocial

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!