unsociable
/ʌnˈsəʊʃəb(ə)l
/adjective
1Not enjoying or making an effort to behave sociably in the company of others: Terry was grumpy and unsociable...
- They were serious alcoholics, each consuming a bottle of brandy a day, so Hugh kept them company in the habit of drinking, not to seem unsociable, and enjoyed beating them at ping-pong.
- You are absolutely the most rude, unsociable, uncivilized person I know!
- That's the point of me being rude and cold and unsociable.
Synonyms
unfriendly, unamiable, unaffable, uncongenial, unneighbourly, inhospitable, hostile, unapproachable, reclusive, introverted, solitary, private, misanthropic, uncommunicative, unforthcoming, reticent, reserved, withdrawn, aloof, distant, remote, detached, stand-offish, unsocial, antisocial, taciturn, silent, quiet, sulky, mopey, mopish, uncivil, rude, cold, cool, chilly, frigid, haughty, suspicious, distrustful, scowling, glowering
1.1Not conducive to friendly social relations: watching TV is a fairly unsociable activity...
- Waiting staff and catering assistants don't only have to put up with occasionally rude customers and unsociable working hours, but they're not even paid all that well to make up for it.
- He had enjoyed a good salary for working unsociable hours and the abundant free time during the day for his private research projects.
- Shift workers throughout North Yorkshire rely on private transport to commute during unsociable hours.
Usage
There is some overlap in the use of the adjectives unsociable, unsocial, and antisocial, but they also have distinct core meanings. Generally speaking, unsociable means ‘not enjoying the company of others’, as in Terry was grumpy and unsociable. Antisocial means ‘contrary to the laws and customs of a society’, as in aggressive and antisocial behaviour. Unsocial is usually only used to describe hours ‘falling outside the normal working day’, as in employees were expected to work unsocial hours.
Derivatives
unsociability
- Not that he had many fans here while he was alive, thanks to his shyness, unsociability and general all-round grumpiness.
- There are times when cities simply aren't appropriate; moments of unsociability being a prime example.
- Barnett overcorrects, however, by claiming that a Lockean theory of man's natural unsociability is the Constitution's core principle, giving each individual an effective veto over all laws.
unsociableness
- Some people were entranced by Széchenyi's impetuousness; others considered his unpredictable mood changes to be signs of unsociableness and unreliability.
- Yes, his present feeling of unsociableness went deeper than mere fatigue: it was a kind of deliberate turning-in on himself.
- Apologies in advance for not coming to the party tonight - a severe attack of unsociableness has left me needing to stay in all weekend… Hope it's a good'un and with any luck I'll see you soon!
unsociably
- Unfortunately there will always be a minority of people who behave unsociably, and this is a first class initiative being brought in by the new Chief Constable, at the request of the Passenger Transport Authority and
- Our waste collection is unsociably early on Tuesday mornings.
- We leave Tokyo unsociably early a little before 5.