cynic
noun
a person who believes that only selfishness motivates human actions and who disbelieves in or minimizes selfless acts or disinterested points of view.
cynics
-
pluralof cynic.plural
The grammatical form denoting more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“Some cynics will say that we planned the whole thing,” said Donald Keough, president of Coca-Cola at the time.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 8, 2026
Which - those cynics would say - is all the more reason for the FIA to reject it.
From BBC ● Jun. 9, 2026
Yet at 26, she has weathered countless storms — whether facing incessant body-shaming online, or defending her pop music pivot from cynics in the comments.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 20, 2026
When the cynics start making money, it’s time to pay attention.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 14, 2025
Martin had once seen the moon as hopeful, too, but after he was beaten down by cynics the moon was dark for him.
From "Hole in My Life" by Jack Gantos
