psychopath
Psychopath (noun) means a person with a severe personality disorder marked by manipulation, lack of empathy, and disregard for others' safety or rights. Example: “The documentary examined how a corporate psychopath rose to the top by exploiting colleagues.”
How to use psychopath
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone who lacks empathy and remorse and often manipulates or harms others without guilt.
In casual speech people use "psychopath" loosely for anyone cruel or reckless, but clinically it refers to a specific, diagnosable personality pattern.
Word forms
psychopaths plural
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The documentary examined how a corporate _____ rose to the top by exploiting colleagues.
Etymology
From German psychopathisch, built from Greek psykhē ("soul") + pathos ("suffering").
Synonyms
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Rhymes for psychopath
See all rhymes for psychopath →Frequently asked questions
What does “psychopath” mean?
The word “psychopath” means a person with a severe personality disorder marked by manipulation, lack of empathy, and disregard for others' safety or rights. In plain terms, someone who lacks empathy and remorse and often manipulates or harms others without guilt.
How do you pronounce “psychopath”?
“Psychopath” is pronounced SEYE-koh-path (/ˈsaɪkoʊˌpæθ/ in IPA).
How do you use “psychopath” in a sentence?
Here is “psychopath” used in a sentence: “The documentary examined how a corporate psychopath rose to the top by exploiting colleagues.”
What part of speech is “psychopath”?
“Psychopath” is a noun.
Where does the word “psychopath” come from?
The word “psychopath” comes from German. From German psychopathisch, built from Greek psykhē ("soul") + pathos ("suffering").
Is “psychopath” a common word?
“Psychopath” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “psychopath” have?
“Psychopath” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person with a severe personality disorder marked by manipulation, lack of empathy, and disregard for others' safety or rights.
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