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

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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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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

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Etymology

Origin of cynical

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

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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

See Examples For:

cynical

For three decades, Cliffe worked in obscurity, visiting hundreds of schools—from Harvard and Stanford to the University of Hawaii and Texas Tech—where he sparred with cynical students over the existence of God.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 14, 2026

Perhaps, if you want to be really cynical about it, you could boil down all of human nature and biology and the emergence of consciousness into “a lot of math” as well.

From Salon ● Oct. 12, 2026

And it’s important because I think it’s very easy to be cynical.

From Slate ● Oct. 5, 2026

"These days, there are a lot of cynical reactions on helping other countries, so I am a bit worried that one day, interest in North Korean human rights might fade away as well," she added.

From Barron's ● Sep. 28, 2026

Or, as cynical as it may sound, his possible acceptance of Catholicism may have been merely a theological chess game, a tactic and long-term strategy that he calculated might lead to eternal salvation.

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady

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