Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
cynical
Adjective
/ˈsɪnɪkəl/
Definition
Believing that people are generally selfish and dishonest, often distrustful of others’ motives.
Examples
- She had a cynical view of politics, believing that all politicians were corrupt.
- His cynical remarks during the meeting made it hard for anyone to feel optimistic about the project.
- The movie portrayed a cynical take on love, suggesting that relationships are often based on deceit.
Meaning
Cynical describes a mindset that questions the sincerity and goodness of human actions, assuming that self-interest motivates people’s behavior.
Synonyms
- Distrustful
- Skeptical
- Pessimistic
- Jaded
- Mocking
