Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Hostile to or disruptive of normal standards of social behavior: Describes behavior, actions, or attitudes that are harmful, disruptive, or contrary to the laws and customs of society.
   • Avoiding the company of others; unsociable: Describes a person who prefers to be alone and avoids social interaction, not necessarily due to hostility.

Usage and Examples

• Describing harmful societal behavior:
  • Vandalism is an antisocial act that damages community property.
  • The court order was issued to prevent his antisocial conduct.
• Describing an unsociable disposition:
  • After moving to the new city, she became quite antisocial and rarely left her apartment.
  • He's not antisocial; he's just very shy and introverted.

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• Clinical/ Psychological Context: In psychiatry, "antisocial" can be part of the term "antisocial personality disorder," which denotes a persistent pattern of disregard for and violation of the rights of others. However, in general usage, the adjective alone does not constitute a diagnosis.
  • The psychologist noted antisocial tendencies in the patient's history.
• Legal Context: Often used in legal or official reports to describe behavior that is criminal or harmful to public order.
  • The new law aims to curb antisocial behavior in urban areas.

Variants and Related Words

• Antisocially (adverb): In a manner that is hostile to or avoids society.
  • He behaved antisocially by ignoring all his neighbors.
• Asocial (adjective): This is a close synonym for the "unsociable" meaning, indicating a lack of motivation to engage in social interaction. It is sometimes used interchangeably with "antisocial" in informal contexts but typically lacks the strong connotation of active hostility or criminality found in the primary definition of "antisocial."

Synonyms

• Unsocial: Not inclined to seek or enjoy the company of others.
• Hostile: Unfriendly, antagonistic.
• Reclusive: Avoiding the company of other people; solitary.
• Misanthrophic: Having or showing a dislike of other people.

Antonyms

• Sociable: Willing to talk and engage in activities with other people; friendly.
• Gregarious: Fond of company; sociable.
• Pro-social: Positive, helpful, and intended to promote social acceptance and friendship.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• Antisocial behavior: A common phrase, especially in legal and social contexts, referring to actions that harm or lack consideration for the well-being of others.
  • The community center was set up to reduce antisocial behavior among youths.
• Antisocial hours: (British English idiom) Refers to work hours that are very early, very late, or overnight, i.e., hours when most people are socializing or sleeping. This idiom uses "antisocial" metaphorically.
  • Nurses often have to work antisocial hours.

Adjective

1. hostile to or disruptive of normal standards of social behavior
   • criminal behavior or conduct that violates the rights of other individuals is antisocial
   • crimes...and other asocial behavior
   • an antisocial deed
2. shunning contact with others; just shy"
   • standoffish and antisocial
   • he's not antisocial