cynicism

[ sin-uh-siz-uhm ]

noun

1. cynical disposition, character, or belief.
2. a cynical remark.
3. (initial capital letter) any of the doctrines or practices of the Cynics.

cynicism

¹

/ ˈsɪnɪˌsɪzəm /

noun

1. the attitude or beliefs of a cynic
2. a cynical action, remark, idea, etc

Cynicism

²

/ ˈsɪnɪˌsɪzəm /

noun

1. the doctrines of the Cynics

Other Words From

• anti·cyni·cism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of cynicism¹

First recorded in 1665–75; cynic + -ism

Example Sentences

That cynicism doesn’t seem to be motivating them to sit on the sidelines during elections.

From FiveThirtyEight

McConnell argued, with obvious cynicism, that he wanted the American people to weigh in on the president first.

From Washington Post

I spotlighted the Change the World list yesterday, but I will do so again today, because it is a welcome antidote to the cynicism that pervades today’s discussions today about the state of business.

From Fortune

The cynicism behind this statement can make many people uncomfortable.

From Nautilus

It’s got the idealism of The West Wing married to the cynicism of House of Cards, and it somehow works.

From Vox

It creates a cynicism in us that is not the most noble of things to dwell upon.

From The Daily Beast

For them, the cowardly cynicism of the status quo will do just fine.

From The Daily Beast

But civic cynicism is not, and it means we can never be the unified country we were in World War II.

From The Daily Beast

The knee-jerk cynicism with which it has been greeted is dysfunctional.

From The Daily Beast

That is the height of cynicism, combined with an admission of impotence.

From The Daily Beast

“Perhaps I div,” returned the Scot, with that touch of cynicism which is occasionally seen in his race.

From Project Gutenberg

Ordinarily she was smiling with an affected cynicism, and it was plain to be seen that she respected her intellect.

From Project Gutenberg

Directly he entered her presence he seemed to forget his cynicism, and to become light-hearted and gay.

From Project Gutenberg

The voice could be heard, in different modulations, but always with profound cynicism as its basis.

From Project Gutenberg

Along with his war-books, Thyrsis was reading his daily newspaper, which came to him freighted with the cynicism of the hour.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• bitterness
• distrust
• doubt
• pessimism
• sarcasm