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cynic

noun

ˈsi-nik How to pronounce cynic (audio)
Definition of cynicnext
as in misanthrope
a person who distrusts other people and believes that everything is done for selfish reasons a cynic who believes that nobody does a good deed without expecting something in return

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of cynic But weddings also bring out the cynics, and there are a lot of people who cannot be swayed by a wedding. — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 16 July 2026 In the afterglow of the evening, even hardened cynics couldn't deny that being admired by millions is no substitute for being loved by one. — Bryan West, USA Today, 7 July 2026 The native New Yorker has won over cynics before, his peers tell Fortune. — Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 3 July 2026 Not everyone is happy about this apparently, as large portions of cynics and haters on social media are apparently ready to say auf wiedersehen to Freddy. — Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for cynic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cynic
  1. misanthrope
  2. critic
  3. pessimist
  4. naysayer
  5. skeptic
Noun
  • Still, this misanthrope takes somewhat of a liking to Fiona (Florence Ordesh), the woman who shows him to his room and tends the hotel bar.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 30 Apr. 2026
  • The story follows a rag-tag group of misanthropes who attempt to rob jewels from the Vatican.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 10 Mar. 2026
Definition of misanthrope
Noun
  • Thompson will play Hannah, an ambitious local food critic who becomes drawn into the Walter’s story, while Shannon will play Governor George Callahan, a consequential figure in the political and clemency battle at the film’s center.
    — Alex Ritman, Variety, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Kalshi and Polymarket, which have been assailed by critics for encouraging financial risk taking by making betting more accessible, are now using the promise of free groceries to win over New Yorkers.
    — Matthew Tan, CNBC, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of critic
Noun
  • My favourite part of this exercise is seeing the distribution of optimists and pessimists.
    — Janson Duench, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Some pessimists think Chalamet may be vulnerable to poaching given recent headlines, but others reject the idea.
    — Matt Donnelly, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of pessimist
Noun
  • Neither song has stopped naysayers from characterizing Anthrax as left-wing.
    — Jon Wiederhorn, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026
  • The hiding of it is what allowed naysayers to get way more people killed.
    — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of naysayer
Noun
  • Just like there are today, there were doomers and skeptics, utopian boosters and scientists pleading for calm.
    — J.D. Capelouto, semafor.com, 18 Sep. 2026
  • In its latest earnings report last month, Salesforce quieted the skeptics by reporting better-than-expected results and issuing an uplifting forecast.
    — Jordan Novet, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of skeptic

Browse Nearby Words

cylindrical
cynic
cynical
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Cite this Entry

“Cynic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cynic. Accessed 22 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on cynic

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cynic

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