cynical
distrusting or disparaging the motives of others; like or characteristic of a cynic.
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.
(initial capital letter) cynic (def. 5).
Origin of cynical
1synonym study For cynical
Opposites for cynical
Other words from cynical
- cyn·i·cal·ly, adverb
- cyn·i·cal·ness, noun
- an·ti·cyn·i·cal, adjective
- an·ti·cyn·i·cal·ly, adverb
- qua·si-cyn·i·cal, adjective
- qua·si-cyn·i·cal·ly, adverb
- sem·i·cyn·i·cal, adjective
- sem·i·cyn·i·cal·ly, adverb
- su·per·cyn·i·cal, adjective
- su·per·cyn·i·cal·ly, adverb
- su·per·cyn·i·cal·ness, noun
- un·cyn·i·cal, adjective
- un·cyn·i·cal·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use cynical in a sentence
Perhaps it’d be cynical to assume that anonymous donors are all as covertly egotistical as Danson seems.
Larry David and the Game Theory of Anonymous Donations - Facts So Romantic | Brian Gallagher | December 16, 2020 | NautilusCompanies that claim to care about being socially responsible are often greeted with a cynical eye.
Companies that talk the talk on diversity are more likely to walk the walk | matthewheimer | December 14, 2020 | FortuneTadelis, by the end of his time at eBay, had come to think that his cynical view of advertising didn’t go far enough.
Does Advertising Actually Work? (Part 2: Digital) (Ep. 441) | Stephen J. Dubner | November 26, 2020 | FreakonomicsAs a kind of post-Brexit tale of upper-level government machinations, “Roadkill” couldn’t be more cynical about the political process.
With ‘Roadkill,’ PBS invites you to watch a narcissist politician who gets away with everything. How does that grab you? | Hank Stuever | October 30, 2020 | Washington PostI spent 2018 traveling the country, interviewing the voters who’d made a cynical, Trumpian bargain in 2016, most of them conservative Christians.
Political cynicism has given way to love in Christian America | jakemeth | October 28, 2020 | Fortune
“I hate to be cynical about it, but I think some of the films made are made very cynically,” she says.
‘The Babadook’ Is the Best (and Most Sincere) Horror Movie of the Year | Samuel Fragoso | November 30, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTMeanwhile, Democratic leaders blubber about racism while cynically scheming for a permanent demographic majority.
No more cynically cutting opposition candidates out of a district for petty political purposes.
Hate Hyper-Partisanship? Support Redistricting Reform Now | John Avlon | November 3, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTWhether it did so naively or cynically, I honestly do not know.
Republican senators just cynically backed an amendment that would limit the influence of big donors.
He and his wife were falling naturally into the way of—as he had just cynically styled it—fashionable people.
Elster's Folly | Mrs. Henry WoodBut you may cynically remind me that nothing will come of the Determinists' protest against the evil social conditions.
God and my Neighbour | Robert Blatchford"I guess in a good many cases it wouldn't do to be too curious," she said cynically.
The Outdoor Girls in the Saddle | Laura Lee HopeLamont laughed cynically, and dumped the great body on the heap of clothes which stood for a bed.
Menotah | Ernest G. Henham"No woman is above her own heart," Millar replied cynically.
The Devil | Joseph O'Brien
British Dictionary definitions for cynical
/ (ˈsɪnɪkəl) /
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
Derived forms of cynical
- cynically, adverb
- cynicalness, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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