Misanthropist
/ˌmɪs.ænˈθrɒp.ɪst/noun
A person who dislikes or distrusts humankind.
Did you know?Its core comes from Greek *anthrōpos* (“human being”), the same root behind *anthropology* and *philanthropy*—so the word is basically the dark mirror of “love of humanity.”
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
misánthrōpos
“hating humankind”
Late Greek
Greek
misánthrōpos
“a hater of humankind”
16th Century
English
misanthrope
“a person who hates or distrusts other people”
17th Century
English
misanthropist
“a misanthrope; one who dislikes humankind”
Modern English
English
misanthropist
“a person who dislikes or distrusts humankind”
Explore more surprising origins