Describing Negative Human Traits: English Vocabulary List

extremely enthusiastic or obsessed about something

"He is fanatical."

"The fanatical sports fan painted his entire body in the team's colors and screamed at the top of his lungs for the whole game."

unwilling to consider or accept new ideas, perspectives, or opinions

"She is closed-minded."

"The closed-minded manager refused to consider any new ideas from his employees and the company eventually fell behind its competitors as a result."

avoiding or resisting work, exertion, or activity

"He is indolent."

"The indolent teenager spent the entire summer vacation lying on the couch watching television instead of looking for a job or helping around the house."

(of a person) not having the necessary ability, knowledge, or skill to do something successfully

"The incompetent worker made mistakes."

"The incompetent surgeon made a terrible mistake during the operation and the patient suffered serious complications that could have been easily avoided."

(of a person) not having trust or confidence in someone or something

"He is distrustful."

"The distrustful cat would not let anyone pet her because she had been abandoned by her previous owners and she did not trust humans anymore."

displaying minimal emotional expression or engagement

"The students are apathetic."

"The apathetic students did not care about the election and most of them did not even bother to show up and cast their votes."