Diogenes

American  

[dahy-oj-uh-neez] / daɪˈɒdʒ əˌniz /

noun

1. 412?–323 b.c., Greek Cynic philosopher.

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Diogenes British  

/ daɪˈɒdʒɪˌniːz /

noun

1. ?412–?323 _bc , Greek Cynic philosopher, who rejected social conventions and advocated self-sufficiency and simplicity of life

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Other Word Forms

• Diogenean adjective
• Diogenic adjective

Example Sentences

Diogenes the Cynic famously carried a lantern searching for an honest man.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 2, 2026

Ms. Kuin claims that Diogenes inspired their efforts: “Epicurus adopted Diogenes’ view that death ‘is nothing to us’ and made it one of the cornerstones of his school of thought.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 17, 2025

Vainglorious comments made by Diogenes when he himself was enslaved—captured and sold by pirates—indicate that even then he saw himself more as master than servant.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 17, 2025

“Most of the album is sort of about me being a bit of a Diogenes about the ills of modernity while still celebrating them.”

From Salon • Nov. 7, 2025

We came upon an old woman sitting in her garden in a washtub like Diogenes.

From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves" by M.T. Anderson