cynicism

noun

cyn·​i·​cism ˈsi-nə-ˌsi-zəm How to pronounce cynicism (audio)
1
capitalized : the doctrine of the Cynics (see cynic sense 2)
2
: cynical attitude or quality
Nothing could change her cynicism about politics.
also : a cynical comment or act
pungent cynicisms

Examples of cynicism in a Sentence

Nothing could change her cynicism about politics.
Recent Examples on the Web Ordinary Iranians signaled their despair at a miserable economy, their anger over the repression of landmark protests in 2022, and their cynicism about a regime that disqualified myriad candidates who were not in Khamenei’s hard-line camp from contesting seats. Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 3 Mar. 2024 Yet for all the attention on voting rules, concerns about the mechanics may be eclipsed by election cynicism that for some is an even stronger deterrent to voting. Chris Kenning, USA TODAY, 1 Mar. 2024 For now, though, cynicism seems unjustified, at least on this issue. David Leonhardt, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2024 The language of the characters reflects their remoteness, as does their cynicism toward law and order. Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2024 In the long term, however, Europe’s companies, economy, and people will be the ones paying a high price for the policies of cynicism that have no set agendas or tangible projects for the future. Camille Fumard, Fortune Europe, 22 Feb. 2024 But Creel and other friends insist Ackman’s campaign against DEI is free of cynicism or ulterior motive. Elizabeth Dwoskin, Washington Post, 10 Feb. 2024 Watching the worst of humanity rear its head online daily builds up layers of cynicism about the internet’s role in our lives. Thomas Page, CNN, 29 Jan. 2024 As much as the group’s take on men turning back into monkeys could take on a comical hue, their cynicism about the arc of the universe bending away from justice was informed by the cynicism that came out of that campus tragedy, as the film recounts. Chris Willman, Variety, 21 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cynicism.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

see cynic

First Known Use

1663, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of cynicism was in 1663

Dictionary Entries Near cynicism

Cite this Entry

“Cynicism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cynicism. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

cynicism

noun
cyn·​i·​cism ˈsin-ə-ˌsiz-əm How to pronounce cynicism (audio)
: a cynical attitude or quality
also : an expression of cynical quality
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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