cynicism

noun

cyn·​i·​cism ˈsi-nə-ˌsi-zəm 

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

Unlike the fresh vision of immigrant heritage in Hwang’s early, most affecting play, The Dance and the Railroad (1981), he now — at age 67 — twists that insight in a manner that fools Millennial audiences and the Broadway and television elite into feeling smart about their political cynicism. —Armond White, National Review, 21 May 2025

From start to finish, Magic Mike XXL is an absolute joy—a film that boldly rejects toxic masculinity, that isn’t driven by rivalries or alpha dynamics or cynicism, that features men who build each other up, who cry together, who admit fears, who help each other accomplish their goals. —Travis Bean, Forbes.com, 17 May 2025

The movie at times borders on cynicism, and working as matchmaker could make anyone jaded. —Eliana Dockterman, Time, 6 May 2025

This all only leads to more cynicism by the public. —Bradley Tusk, New York Daily News, 2 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

see cynic

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for cynicism

• autism
• fascism
• racism
• sikhism
• statism
• sufism
• thomism
• tourism
• tropism
• abolitionism
• aldosteronism
• americanism

Kids Definition

cynicism

noun

cyn·​i·​cism ˈsin-ə-ˌsiz-əm 

: a cynical attitude or quality

also : an expression of cynical quality