“A terrible citizen” refers to someone who fails to meet the expected standards and responsibilities of being part of a community. Here are some synonyms and their analyses:
1. Delinquent Citizen
- Meaning: A person who regularly breaks laws or fails to fulfill their civic duties and obligations. For example, “The delinquent citizen was constantly in trouble with the law for vandalism and not paying fines.”
- Usage difference: “Delinquent citizen” emphasizes the aspect of violating rules and laws. It often implies a pattern of misbehavior that goes against what is expected in a civilized society. In comparison to “a terrible citizen,” it is more specific about the illegal or irresponsible actions. While “a terrible citizen” is a more general and perhaps subjective description, “delinquent citizen” highlights the actual transgressions that make them a poor member of the community.
2. Unscrupulous Citizen
- Meaning: A citizen who has no moral principles or ethics when it comes to dealing with others or fulfilling societal roles. For example, “The unscrupulous citizen would cheat his neighbors in business deals just to make a quick profit.”
- Usage difference: “Unscrupulous citizen” focuses on the lack of integrity and morality. It suggests that the person is willing to do things that are considered wrong or unfair in order to achieve their own goals. In contrast to “a terrible citizen,” which is a broad negative label, “unscrupulous citizen” zeroes in on the immoral behavior that makes them a liability to the community.
3. Irresponsible Citizen
- Meaning: Someone who does not take proper responsibility for their actions or for the well-being of the community around them. For example, “The irresponsible citizen never bothered to recycle or participate in community clean-up efforts.”
- Usage difference: “Irresponsible citizen” highlights the failure to act in a responsible manner. It can cover a wide range of behaviors from neglecting simple tasks that contribute to the community's health to not fulfilling obligations like voting or serving on local committees. Compared to “a terrible citizen,” it is more about the lack of accountability and diligence rather than being a more all-encompassing negative term.
4. Anti-Social Citizen
- Meaning: A person who behaves in a way that is contrary to the norms of social interaction and cooperation within a community. For example, “The anti-social citizen would constantly disrupt community meetings and was rude to everyone.”
- Usage difference: “Anti - social citizen” emphasizes the negative impact on social harmony. It implies that the person acts in a way that disrupts the normal friendly and cooperative atmosphere of the community. In contrast to “a terrible citizen,” it focuses more on the social aspect of their behavior, such as being uncooperative, hostile, or disruptive in social settings.
5. Malcontent Citizen
- Meaning: A citizen who is constantly dissatisfied and complains a lot, often without trying to make positive changes or contribute constructively to the community. For example, “The malcontent citizen was always grumbling about every decision made by the local council but never offered any useful suggestions.”
- Usage difference: “Malcontent citizen” highlights the negative attitude and lack of a constructive approach. In comparison to “a terrible citizen,” it is more about the demeanor and the unproductive complaining rather than actual actions that harm the community. While “a terrible citizen” can imply a variety of negative behaviors, “malcontent citizen” specifically points to someone who is disgruntled and doesn't help improve the situation.