Synonyms of cynical

cynical

adjective

ˈsi-ni-kəl 

as in pessimistic

having or showing a deep distrust of human beings and their motives

so cynical that he can't understand why anyone would volunteer to help out at a homeless shelter

Synonyms & Similar Words

• pessimistic
• sarcastic
• negative
• misanthropic
• ironic
• skeptical
• suspicious
• sardonic
• negativistic
• mocking
• derisive
• fatalistic
• distrustful
• mistrustful
• scornful
• defeatist
• jaded
• negativist
• worldly-wise
• unsentimental
• sophisticated
• hard-bitten
• hard-edged
• hard-boiled
• hardcase

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• optimistic
• positive
• cheerful
• naive
• trustful
• trusting
• unsuspicious
• uncynical
• positivistic
• positivist
• unsophisticated
• ingenuous
• idealistic
• innocent
• romantic
• impractical
• sentimental
• saccharine
• sappy
• rose-colored
• mushy
• maudlin

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective cynical differ from other similar words?

The words misanthropic and pessimistic are common synonyms of cynical. While all three words mean "deeply distrustful," cynical implies having a sneering disbelief in sincerity or integrity.

cynical about politicians' motives

When is misanthropic a more appropriate choice than cynical?

Although the words misanthropic and cynical have much in common, misanthropic suggests a rooted distrust and dislike of human beings and their society.

a solitary and misanthropic artist

In what contexts can pessimistic take the place of cynical?

In some situations, the words pessimistic and cynical are roughly equivalent. However, pessimistic implies having a gloomy, distrustful view of life.

pessimistic about the future

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of cynical

Trump has systematically starved Social Security of funds for customer service, a cynical effort to make this all-important program seem more burdensome to the seniors who rely on it. — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 4 Aug. 2026

In this cynical age, our local registrars of voters, usually one from each party, remain respected public officials. — Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 1 Aug. 2026

Could there be a more cynical purveyor of the clarion call to make America great again? — Literary Hub, 28 July 2026

In its portrayal of cross-gender relations, the series is consistently cruel to women, insulting to men, empathetic toward nobody and cynical about everything. — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 22 July 2026

Video

The History of 'Cynic'

How an ancient philosophical movement devoted to the pursuit of virtue came to describe eye-rolling criticism.