Definition

Adjective: 1. Relating to or characteristic of sociopathy: Pertaining to a personality disorder manifesting as antisocial behavior, lack of empathy, and disregard for the rights and feelings of others. 2. Exhibiting traits of a sociopath: Describing behavior that is manipulative, deceitful, callous, or remorseless.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • The character in the film was portrayed as a charming but deeply sociopathic individual.
  • The psychologist assessed the patient's sociopathic tendencies during the evaluation.
  • His sociopathic disregard for safety regulations put everyone at risk.

Advanced Usage

• Clinical/Diagnostic Context: Used in psychology and psychiatry to describe traits or behaviors associated with Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD).
  • The study focused on the neural correlates of sociopathic behavior.
• Figurative/Colloquial Use: Sometimes used hyperbolically in non-clinical contexts to describe extreme selfishness or ruthlessness.
  • Her sociopathic ambition led her to betray her closest allies.

Variants and Related Words

• Sociopath (noun): A person with a sociopathic personality; someone affected by sociopathy.
  • The prosecutor argued the defendant was a remorseless sociopath.
• Sociopathy (noun): The condition or quality of being sociopathic; Antisocial Personality Disorder.
  • His actions were a clear manifestation of his sociopathy.

Synonyms

• Antisocial (in a personality disorder context)
• Psychopathic (often used similarly, though with nuanced clinical distinctions)
• Callous
• Unfeeling
• Remorseless

Antonyms

• Empathetic
• Conscientious
• Altruistic
• Compassionate

Related Phrases and Idioms

• Sociopathic behavior: A phrase used to describe actions characteristic of a sociopath.
  • The fraud was executed with cold, sociopathic behavior.
• Sociopathic liar: A common collocation emphasizing pathological deceitfulness.
  • He was exposed as a sociopathic liar who fabricated his entire past.

Adjective

1. of or relating to a sociopathic personality disorder