antisocial

Meanings

1. 1adjectivecomparable

   Not wanting to spend time with other people; avoiding social contact.

   Grammar: Can be used with 'more' or 'most' to compare degrees of unsociability.

   Patterns

   • be antisocial
   • feel antisocial
   • antisocial behavior

   He's not unfriendly, just a bit antisocial and prefers to stay home.

   After a long week, I feel antisocial and don't want to go to the party.

2. 2adjectivecomparable

   Harmful to society or showing a disregard for the rights and well-being of others.

   Grammar: Used especially in legal or psychological contexts to describe behavior that breaks social rules.

   Patterns

   • antisocial behavior
   • antisocial personality disorder

   Vandalism and graffiti are considered antisocial behavior.

   The clinic treats young people with antisocial tendencies.

Word forms

Common combinations

antisocial behavior

The school has a policy against antisocial behavior like bullying.

antisocial personality disorder

Antisocial personality disorder is a mental health condition.

feel antisocial

I feel antisocial when I'm tired and just want to be alone.

antisocial tendencies

His antisocial tendencies made it hard for him to make friends.

Synonyms and how they differ

unsociable

Simply means not enjoying company; 'antisocial' can also imply harmful behavior, so 'unsociable' is milder.

reclusive

Describes someone who lives alone and avoids others; 'antisocial' is broader and can be temporary.

disruptive

Focuses on causing trouble; 'antisocial' emphasizes going against social norms or being withdrawn.

Opposites

Word family

antisocially adverb

In an antisocial manner.

antisocialism noun

Opposition to social organization (rare).

Commonly confused: antisocial or asocial?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “antisocial”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Explore more words