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

While the bleak original was satisfied with the explanation that Patrick and Karin are simply psychopaths, the American version naturally needs to find a deeper reason for their crimes. —Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 13 Sep. 2024

These women then turn out to be psychopaths who want to kill Carol and breed with Ash in order to, uh, rebuild society or something? —Erik Kain, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024

Mid-way through the Christmas-set Terrifier 3, Thornton's jubilant psychopath creates a new torture instrument, a tank of liquid nitrogen rigged with a projectile funnel. —Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 12 Oct. 2024

The amygdala, which processes fear, is less reactive in psychopaths. —Gautam Mukunda, Forbes, 26 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1885, in the meaning defined above

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