cynicism

noun

cyn·​i·​cism ˈsi-nə-ˌsi-zəm 

1

Cynicism : 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

Released during Obama’s first term, this movie’s cynicism didn’t go over super-well; the film’s negative reviews were particularly hard on the idea that maybe Democrats and Republicans can both be bad. —Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026

The news of the Angels slowing down Grayson Rodriguez because of soreness was greeted with cynicism around baseball because Rodriguez has been through so many serious injuries. —Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 20 Mar. 2026

But that reality — and cynicism like Cronenberg’s — keeps me sane. —Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 20 Mar. 2026

But such is the startling sophistication of artificial intelligence, and the reckless abandon with which it is deployed to deceive online, cynicism seems a healthy side-dish to many viral moments. —Jake Kanter, Deadline, 18 Mar. 2026

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