sociopaths
People without remorse
Sociopaths is the plural of sociopath—a person who chronically disregards the rights and feelings of others, often manipulating or harming people without remorse.
The term is informal shorthand for antisocial personality disorder, though psychiatrists prefer that clinical label.
In casual use, sociopath gets thrown at anyone who seems coldly calculating or lacks empathy: My ex was a total sociopath.
Distinguished from psychopath in some frameworks, though the terms overlap considerably in popular usage.
Underhanded control of others
- exploitationSelfish use of others
- gaslightingManipulation causing self-doubt
- coercionPressured compliance through threats
- intimidationDeliberate fear-inducing pressure
deceit · betrayal · predatory · calculating · cunning · scheming · duplicity · abuse
Capable of causing harm
- narcissistSelf-obsessed person
- heartlessLacking pity or mercy
- cold-bloodedUnfeeling or externally heated
- ruthlessLacking any compassion
unfeeling · shark · snake · backstabber · user · player · emotionally unavailable · red flags
Inability to share feelings
- manipulationUnderhanded control of others
- pathological lyingCompulsive, repetitive fabrication of falsehoods
- superficial charmAttractive but insincere magnetism
- grandiosityExaggerated sense of importance
impulsivity · callousness · remorselessness · deceitfulness · diagnosis · DSM · emotional detachment · risk-taking
Recurring lone murderer
- con artistProfessional fraud perpetrator
- fraudIntentional criminal trickery
- white-collar crimeBusiness fraud offenses
- recidivismHabitual return to crime
incarceration · forensic psychology · predator · profiling · interrogation · cold case · victim · premeditation
Wicked story antagonist
- antiheroMorally ambiguous main character
- true crimeGenre covering actual offenses
- NetflixSubscription streaming service
- documentaryFactual film about reality
Hannibal Lecter · Patrick Bateman · thriller · psychological horror · character study · portrayal · stereotype · dramatization
manipulation
Underhanded control of others
- exploitationSelfish use of others
- gaslightingManipulation causing self-doubt
- coercionPressured compliance through threats
intimidation · deceit · betrayal · predatory · calculating · cunning · scheming · duplicity · abuse · control
toxic
Capable of causing harm
- narcissistSelf-obsessed person
- heartlessLacking pity or mercy
- cold-bloodedUnfeeling or externally heated
ruthless · unfeeling · shark · snake · backstabber · user · player · emotionally unavailable · red flags · evil
lack of empathy
Inability to share feelings
- manipulationUnderhanded control of others
- pathological lyingCompulsive, repetitive fabrication of falsehoods
- superficial charmAttractive but insincere magnetism
grandiosity · impulsivity · callousness · remorselessness · deceitfulness · diagnosis · DSM · emotional detachment · risk-taking · irresponsibility
serial killer
Recurring lone murderer
- con artistProfessional fraud perpetrator
- fraudIntentional criminal trickery
- white-collar crimeBusiness fraud offenses
recidivism · incarceration · forensic psychology · predator · profiling · interrogation · cold case · victim · premeditation · Bundy
villain
Wicked story antagonist
- antiheroMorally ambiguous main character
- true crimeGenre covering actual offenses
- NetflixSubscription streaming service
Hannibal Lecter · Patrick Bateman · documentary · thriller · psychological horror · character study · portrayal · stereotype · dramatization · fascination
- patientspatient, inpatients, inpatient, outpatients, outpatient
sociopathssaints
Canonized religious figures
altruists · humanitarians · do-gooders · Good Samaritans · Mother Teresa
sociopathsgivers
Those who donate
caregivers · helpers · mentors · protectors · guardians