cynicism

American  

[sin-uh-siz-uhm] / ˈsɪn əˌsɪz əm /

noun

1. cynical disposition, character, or belief.

2. a cynical remark.

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

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cynicism ¹ British  

/ ˈsɪnɪˌsɪzəm /

noun

1. the attitude or beliefs of a cynic

2. a cynical action, remark, idea, etc

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Cynicism ² British  

/ ˈsɪnɪˌsɪzəm /

noun

1. the doctrines of the Cynics

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Other Word Forms

• anticynicism noun

Etymology

Origin of cynicism

First recorded in 1665–75; cynic + -ism

Example Sentences

He challenged us to believe in true love, to set aside our cynicism, to be both silly and brave, knowing both were crucial to a successful life.

From Los Angeles Times

“Bills developed in this manner risk fostering public cynicism about the legislative process and the motivations behind narrowly focused policymaking.”

From Los Angeles Times

Perhaps my cynicism about Mr. Witkoff’s curious mix of ingenuousness and rapacity is unfair.

From The Wall Street Journal

But the cheap cynicism of “Hamnet” starts to kick in about halfway through, and then takes over the picture.

From The Wall Street Journal

But it’s also easy to notice Farsi’s ingrained cynicism about the state of things, having once been imprisoned as a teenage dissident during the years following her country’s Islamic Revolution, now in exile.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bitterness
• distrust
• doubt
• pessimism
• sarcasm