plural cynics
: a person who has negative opinions about other people and about the things people do
He's too much of a cynic to see the benefits of marriage.
especially
: a person who believes that people are selfish and are only interested in helping themselves
A cynic might think that the governor visited the hospital just to gain votes.
Reporters who cover politics often become cynics.
Cite this Entry
“Cynic.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/cynic. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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