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

Origin of cynicism

First recorded in 1665–75; cynic + -ism

Related formsan·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

cynicism

/ (ˈsɪnɪˌsɪzəm) /

noun

the attitude or beliefs of a cynic

a cynical action, remark, idea, etc

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

Word Origin and History for cynicism

cynicism

1670s, "philosophy of the Cynics," from cynic + -ism. Meaning "cynical character" is from 1847. For nuances of usage of cynicism, see humor.

cynicism

noun

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of cynicism

Examples from the Web for cynicism

cynicism

noun

Cynicism

noun

cynicism