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

Even if some cynicism is an inevitable aspect of life in New York, though, another city does seem possible, especially in this first half of 2026. —Kevin Lozano, Harpers Magazine, 2 June 2026

In an age when so much of the world feels hampered by cynicism, Khare remains perpetually and unapologetically hopeful. —Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 1 June 2026

Forgive my cynicism, but the owners created this unfortunate landscape, insisting the sport’s competitive balance is out of whack when the standings, again, indicate otherwise. —Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 27 May 2026

The corruption, too, has come to be normalized, along with the public cynicism that accompanies it. —Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 26 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

see cynic

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for cynicism

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

Kids Definition

cynicism

noun

cyn·​i·​cism ˈsin-ə-ˌsiz-əm 

: a cynical attitude or quality

also : an expression of cynical quality