psychopath

noun

psy·​cho·​path ˈsī-kə-ˌpath How to pronounce psychopath (audio)
ˈsī-kō-
: a mentally unstable person
especially : a person having an egocentric and antisocial personality marked by a lack of remorse for one's actions, an absence of empathy for others, and often criminal tendencies

Examples of psychopath in a Sentence

declared that he was a dangerous psychopath
Recent Examples on the Web Euphoria’s resident narcissist psychopath Jacob Elordi will play Heathcliff opposite Barbie girl Margot Robbie’s it’s-me-I’m-Cathy in the latest adaptation of Emily Brontë’s romantic tale (or brutally vengeful, horrifying, supernatural Gothic masterpiece, depending on your standpoint). Raven Smith, Vogue, 25 Sep. 2024 For two supposedly unhinged psychopaths who are meant to be enabling each other’s madness, Arthur and Lee don’t have a scintilla of creativity between them. David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 4 Sep. 2024 Ellison killed the most egregious psychopath among a clan of murderous brothers, who are now galloping across entire prairies to get revenge; there could be a fun parlor game counting up the Westerns based on this configuration. Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 7 Sep. 2024 The researchers extend the psychopath analogy by noting that the AI was judged as more rational and intelligent than humans but not more emotional or compassionate. Ron Amadeo, Ars Technica, 1 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for psychopath 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'psychopath.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1885, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of psychopath was in 1885

Dictionary Entries Near psychopath

Cite this Entry

“Psychopath.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/psychopath. Accessed 2 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

psychopath

noun
psy·​cho·​path ˈsī-kə-ˌpath How to pronounce psychopath (audio)
: a mentally ill or unstable person
especially : one who does not feel guilty about not living up to normal social and moral responsibilities and exhibits a disregard for the feelings and safety of others

Medical Definition

psychopath

noun
psy·​cho·​path ˈsī-kə-ˌpath How to pronounce psychopath (audio)
1
: a person having an egocentric and antisocial personality marked by a lack of remorse for one's actions, an absence of empathy for others, and often criminal tendencies
2
formerly : a person with antisocial personality disorder

More from Merriam-Webster on psychopath

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