cynic
noun
a person who believes that only selfishness motivates human actions and who disbelieves in or minimizes selfless acts or disinterested points of view.
cynics
-
pluralof cynic.plural
The grammatical form denoting more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
We must beware the dreary cynics who would have us believe it isn’t.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 7, 2026
Also, given three of Ireland's six T20s during the home summer of 2025 were lost to the rain, cynics will likely point to weather in western Europe come September as a potential stumbling block too.
From BBC ● Jan. 20, 2026
Pouliot has seen cynics walk into L’Belle-Tividad’s readings or classes and walk away as believers.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 8, 2025
When the cynics start making money, it’s time to pay attention.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 14, 2025
My dad once told me about dreamers and cynics.
From "Finding Junie Kim" by Ellen Oh
