Synonyms of misanthropic

misanthropic

adjective

ˌmi-sᵊn-ˈthrä-pik 

as in cynical

having or showing a deep distrust of human beings and their motives

a misanthropic outlook on life that probably stems from a childhood filled with physical and emotional abuse

Synonyms & Similar Words

• cynical
• ironical
• ironic
• pessimistic
• sarcastic
• negative
• sardonic
• negativistic
• skeptical
• fatalistic
• derisive
• mocking
• distrustful
• mistrustful
• scornful
• suspicious
• negativist
• defeatist
• jaded
• unsentimental
• worldly-wise
• hard-bitten
• hard-edged
• sophisticated
• hard-boiled
• hardcase

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• optimistic
• positive
• cheerful
• positivist
• positivistic
• trustful
• trusting
• unsuspicious
• naive
• uncynical
• unsophisticated
• naïve
• romantic
• idealistic
• ingenuous
• innocent
• impractical
• sentimental
• saccharine
• rose-colored
• sappy
• mushy
• maudlin

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective misanthropic differ from other similar words?

The words cynical and pessimistic are common synonyms of misanthropic. While all three words mean "deeply distrustful," misanthropic suggests a rooted distrust and dislike of human beings and their society.

a solitary and misanthropic artist

When would cynical be a good substitute for misanthropic?

The synonyms cynical and misanthropic are sometimes interchangeable, but cynical implies having a sneering disbelief in sincerity or integrity.

cynical about politicians' motives

Where would pessimistic be a reasonable alternative to misanthropic?

The meanings of pessimistic and misanthropic largely overlap; however, pessimistic implies having a gloomy, distrustful view of life.

pessimistic about the future

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of misanthropic

Well, this play could, in fact, be a stiff, empty, misanthropic soap opera in lesser hands. —Trish Deitch, Variety, 25 Apr. 2024

In that, Loder is witty, mischievous and somehow appealingly misanthropic, qualities that Dinklage commands with ease through his signature piercing gaze and intensely baritone voice. —Tomris Laffly, Variety, 6 Mar. 2024

In the misanthropic world of Curb, everyone is a pathologically annoying product of their own pettiness, ignorance, prejudices, and hangups—Larry more than most. —TIME, 2 Feb. 2024

Duchovny stars alongside Logan Marshall-Green in a two-hander about a misanthropic man dying of cancer and his sappy son, who craves love from his dad. —Leo Barraclough, Variety, 18 Dec. 2023