cynical

[sin-i-kuhl]

adjective

1. distrusting or disparaging the motives of others; like or characteristic of a cynic.

   Antonyms: optimistic

2. showing contempt for accepted standards of honesty or morality by one's actions, especially by actions that exploit the scruples of others.

3. bitterly or sneeringly distrustful, contemptuous, or pessimistic.

   Antonyms: optimistic

4. (initial capital letter),  cynic.

cynical

/ ˈsɪnɪkəl /

adjective

1. distrustful or contemptuous of virtue, esp selflessness in others; believing the worst of others, esp that all acts are selfish

2. sarcastic; mocking

3. showing contempt for accepted standards of behaviour, esp of honesty or morality

   the politician betrayed his promises in a cynical way

Other Word Forms

• cynically adverb
• cynicalness noun
• anticynical adjective
• anticynically adverb
• quasi-cynical adjective
• quasi-cynically adverb
• semicynical adjective
• semicynically adverb
• supercynical adjective
• supercynically adverb
• supercynicalness noun
• uncynical adjective
• uncynically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of cynical¹

First recorded in 1580–90; cynic + -al ¹

Synonym Study

Cynical, pessimistic, sarcastic, satirical imply holding a low opinion of humanity. Cynical suggests a disbelief in the sincerity of human motives: cynical about honesty. Pessimistic implies a more or less habitual disposition to look on the dark side of things, and to believe that the worst will happen: pessimistic as to the future. Sarcastic refers to sneering or making cutting jibes: sarcastic about a profession of faith. Satirical suggests expressing scorn or ridicule by saying the opposite of what one means: a satirical attack on his political promises.

Example Sentences

The erasure of parents from the oral arguments had a clear, cynical purpose: To hide the fact that, ultimately, conversion therapy is a form of child abuse.

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“Watching Dunlap try to recreate himself as a progressive would be amusing if it were not so cynical,” Golden said.

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Under the circumstances, the GOP’s insistence that the healthcare subsidies be taken out of the current budget debate and deferred to the end of the year looks like a cynical ploy.

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“These actions are contrary to law and arbitrary and capricious, and the cynical use of federal employees as a pawn in Congressional deliberations should be declared unlawful and enjoined by this Court.”

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Sarwar said it was a good preview of what might happen in next May's Holyrood election, demonstrating both "the gutter politics and bile of Reform" and the "cheap and cynical politics of the SNP".

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