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
The unironically chipper clown couldn’t sustain its sanitized image against a growing culture of cynicism.
—
Time, 30 Oct. 2025
This cynicism inevitably besmirches players, coaches, and referees who have no ties to gambling.
—Danny Funt, New Yorker, 28 Oct. 2025
Strange New Worlds’s deeply disappointing third season, so please forgive me my current knee-jerk cynicism about genre television.
—Lily Osler, Vulture, 27 Oct. 2025
But now Newsom’s cynicism is plain for all to see.
—U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cynicism
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Time, 30 Oct. 2025
This cynicism inevitably besmirches players, coaches, and referees who have no ties to gambling.
—Danny Funt, New Yorker, 28 Oct. 2025
Strange New Worlds’s deeply disappointing third season, so please forgive me my current knee-jerk cynicism about genre television.
—Lily Osler, Vulture, 27 Oct. 2025
But now Newsom’s cynicism is plain for all to see.
—U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cynicism
Cite this Entry
“Cynicism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cynicism. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
cynicism
noun
cyn·i·cism
ˈsin-ə-ˌsiz-əm
: a cynical attitude or quality
also
: an expression of cynical quality
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