cynical
Americanadjective
-
distrusting or disparaging the motives of others; like or characteristic of a cynic.
- Antonyms:
- optimistic
-
showing contempt for accepted standards of honesty or morality by one's actions, especially by actions that exploit the scruples of others.
-
bitterly or sneeringly distrustful, contemptuous, or pessimistic.
- Antonyms:
- optimistic
-
(initial capital letter) cynic.
adjective
-
distrustful or contemptuous of virtue, esp selflessness in others; believing the worst of others, esp that all acts are selfish
-
sarcastic; mocking
-
showing contempt for accepted standards of behaviour, esp of honesty or morality
the politician betrayed his promises in a cynical way
Synonym Usage
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.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of cynical
Explanation
If you think public officials are nothing but a bunch of greedy buffoons, you have a cynical attitude about politics. A cynical person has a bleak outlook about others, always imagining that people are ruled by their worst instincts. H.L. Mencken was famous for saying cynical things like, "Nobody ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American public." The original Cynics were ancient Greek philosophers who never had a good word to say about anyone. The Greek word kynikos actually means "canine," maybe because all of that sneering seemed a little dog-like.
Vocabulary lists containing cynical
The Great Gatsby
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Night
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ACT Reading Test: Words to Capture Tone, List 1
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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.
“It’s easy to feel cynical and apathetic in a moment where so many things seem stacked against us,” Villegas said in an interview.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 13, 2026
And you might find the idea of a prenuptial agreement to be cynical, because it covers the end of marriage that hasn’t even started.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 11, 2026
This almost certainly is not the case; they are much more hardheaded and cynical in their views of the world and their interests.
From Slate ● Sep. 10, 2026
Mr. Malkovich’s wickedly entertaining, cynical yet soulful performance is the heart of a surprisingly emotional tour de force from Mr. McDonagh.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 10, 2026
Old Martin hoped he would get to drive it, but he was cynical about it.
From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
