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psychopath
noun
psy·cho·path
ˈsī-kə-ˌpath
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
Synonyms
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
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
: 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
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
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