adj
antisocial
an-tee-SOH-shuhl
adj
1
Unwilling or unable to interact comfortably with other people.
"He's not rude, just a bit antisocial — he prefers his own company."
2
Harmful or disruptive to public order and other people in society.
"The council cracked down on antisocial behaviour in the town centre."
How to Use Antisocial
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither shy and withdrawn around people, or actively disruptive and harmful to others.
Common mistake
In everyday speech "antisocial" often just means shy or unsociable, but in law and psychology it describes behaviour that is actively harmful to others — the two senses can cause confusion.
Word Forms
more antisocial comparative, antisocials plural, most antisocial superlative
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He's not rude, just a bit _____ — he prefers his own company.
Etymology
Built from anti- ("against") and social.