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.

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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

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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

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

Etymology

Origin of cynical

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

Example Sentences

"Both to protect these children and their potential victims, the government is taking strong action against this type of cynical exploitation," he added.

From BBC

“Every grandparent wants to take their grandchild to the park to see their eyes light up just like they remember their kids did before their kids got older and cynical,” Gennawey says.

From The Wall Street Journal

From that moment on, the sunken warship became Mr. Dooley’s lodestar, even as he “became ever more cynical” about the Cuban revolution.

From The Wall Street Journal

They can be scathingly ironic, alert to every hypocrisy that corroborates their cynical worldview, and even seductive in a perverse, power-mad way.

From Los Angeles Times

Her first novel, a satire about a pop singer brought to fame and as quickly dispatched by a cynical press, was a bestseller in the early 1930s.

From The Wall Street Journal