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
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sarcastic; mocking
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showing contempt for accepted standards of behaviour, esp of honesty or morality
the politician betrayed his promises in a cynical way
Related Words
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.
“I’m not cynical about the experiences people have in continuing-care retirement communities, but I’m cynical about the marketing,” Horowitz added.
From MarketWatch • May 8, 2026
A more cynical reason some companies might prefer repurchases: Many CEO bonuses are tied to a company’s share price.
From Barron's • May 7, 2026
Next to the “fine people” hoax, only one thing has struck me as more completely cynical, to the point where I almost couldn’t believe what I was watching in real time.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 28, 2026
What follows is a story told in hasty paragraphs, pithy fragments and cynical dispatches from a conspiracy theory-infested America.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 28, 2026
This was surely a cynical attempt to win forgiveness for what could never be forgiven.
From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan
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.
