noun
sociopath
SOH-see-uh-path
Sociopath (noun) means a person with an antisocial personality disorder marked by a lack of empathy and disregard for others' rights. Example: “The film portrays the killer as a calculating sociopath.”
noun
1
A person with an antisocial personality disorder marked by a lack of empathy and disregard for others' rights.
"The film portrays the killer as a calculating sociopath."
How to use sociopath
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone who habitually disregards other people's feelings or rights, often manipulatively.
Common mistake
Not an official clinical diagnosis by itself — clinicians typically use "antisocial personality disorder."
Easily confused with
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Word forms
- Plural
- sociopaths
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The film portrays the killer as a calculating _____.
Etymology
From socio- + -path (as in psychopath), first used around 1914.
Class of 1914
sociopath joined the language around 1914.
See the full Class of 1914 →
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for sociopath
See all rhymes for sociopath →Frequently asked questions
What does “sociopath” mean?
The word “sociopath” means a person with an antisocial personality disorder marked by a lack of empathy and disregard for others' rights. In plain terms, someone who habitually disregards other people's feelings or rights, often manipulatively.
How do you pronounce “sociopath”?
“Sociopath” is pronounced SOH-see-uh-path (/ˈsəʊ.si.ə(ʊ)ˌpæθ/ in IPA).
How do you use “sociopath” in a sentence?
Here is “sociopath” used in a sentence: “The film portrays the killer as a calculating sociopath.”
What part of speech is “sociopath”?
“Sociopath” is a noun.
Where does the word “sociopath” come from?
The word “sociopath” dates back to around 1914. From socio- + -path (as in psychopath), first used around 1914.
