cynicism

[ sin-uh-siz-uh m ]

/ ˈsɪn əˌsɪz əm /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR cynicism ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

cynical disposition, character, or belief.

a cynical remark.

(initial capital letter) any of the doctrines or practices of the Cynics.

Nearby words

cynewulf, cynghanedd, cynic, cynic spasm, cynical, cynicism, cyno-, cynocephaly, cynodont, cynophobia, cynopodous

Origin of cynicism

First recorded in 1665–75; cynic + -ism

Related forms

an·ti·cyn·i·cism, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for cynicism

It creates a cynicism in us that is not the most noble of things to dwell upon.
Ron Perlman's Secret Suicide Attempt|William O’Connor|October 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
That is the height of cynicism, combined with an admission of impotence.
Border Kids Crisis—Impotent Congress|John Avlon|July 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But our cultural resistance to sentiment is all inclusive—our cynicism crosses all genders, all ages, all classes.
A Love Letter to ‘The Notebook,’ a Melodrama That Commits to Its Sentimentality|Teo Bugbee|June 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But Sciortino cut her teeth in that world of excess irony, cynicism, and posturing.
Is This Dildo-Licking, Dominatrix-Loving Vogue Blogger the New Face of Feminism?|Lizzie Crocker|May 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Despite this cynicism, Hood says he is hopeful about the future.
Drive-By Truckers Produce Their Best Album in Years|Howard Wolfson|March 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He might pretend to cynicism to hide his deep pleasure in it; none the less, he was moved profoundly.
Mavericks|William MacLeod Raine
Verrian was tempted to add the condition by the opportunity for a cynicism which he did not feel.
Fennel and Rue|William Dean Howells
His non-appearance afforded Shelton another proof of the delicacy that went hand in hand with the young vagrant's cynicism.
The Island Pharisees|John Galsworthy
Nor had I suspected one in whom cynicism and distrust of undergraduates (of my sort) seemed so ingrained, of such idealism.
A Far Country, Complete|Winston Churchill
Lazarotto's cynicism is of an intellectual order, as is his ready lying to avert suspicion from his master.
The Growth of English Drama|Arnold Wynne

British Dictionary definitions for cynicism (1 of 2)

cynicism

/ (ˈsɪnɪˌsɪzəm) /

noun

the attitude or beliefs of a cynic

a cynical action, remark, idea, etc

British Dictionary definitions for cynicism (2 of 2)

Cynicism

/ (ˈsɪnɪˌsɪzəm) /

noun

the doctrines of the Cynics

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