Trivia Time

Who were the Cynics that lent their name to the word cynical?

Test Your Knowledge

cynical

American  

[sin-i-kuhl] / ˈsɪn ɪ kəl /

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 British  

/ 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

---

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

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

Etymology

Origin of cynical

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

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.

Example Sentences

Greenspan later wrote that he found the president to be "sadly paranoid, misanthropic and cynical", but the economist's success at curbing inflation impressed Nixon's successors.

From BBC • Jun. 22, 2026

The cynical view is that Delcroix may only have picked Haiti because they were on the brink of World Cup qualification, but he says it has become a voyage of self-discovery.

From BBC • Jun. 13, 2026

Emilia, by contrast, is a strikingly modern figure in her cynical assessments of the hypocrisy of a culture that will deride women for sexual behavior that wouldn’t be censured in men.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 1, 2026

Markets aren’t cynical enough to jettison their bets on tech, however, and continue to ride the sector’s extraordinary gains into the start of the new month.

From Barron's • Jun. 1, 2026

As you are not playing downstairs, or peacefully abed, a cynical person might wonder what you are doing at this late hour, and if you are up to no good.

From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss