as in misanthrope
a person who distrusts other people and believes that everything is done for selfish reasons
a cynic who believes that nobody does a good deed without expecting something in return
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Recent Examples of cynic
But cynics will argue that Visa, like most payments platforms, profits from higher spend, not restrained consumption.
—
Ilona Limonta-Volkova, Forbes.com, 7 May 2025
Those cynics contend the front office might as well spend that money on other position groups.
—Tim Graham, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025
In fact, cynics do worse on cognitive tests and have a harder time spotting liars than non-cynics.
—Jamil Zaki, TIME, 3 Sep. 2024
And yes, there are plenty of options for V-Day cynics, including He's Just Not That Into You and a particularly bloody '80s slasher flick.
—Glamour, 7 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cynic
Ilona Limonta-Volkova, Forbes.com, 7 May 2025
Those cynics contend the front office might as well spend that money on other position groups.
—Tim Graham, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025
In fact, cynics do worse on cognitive tests and have a harder time spotting liars than non-cynics.
—Jamil Zaki, TIME, 3 Sep. 2024
And yes, there are plenty of options for V-Day cynics, including He's Just Not That Into You and a particularly bloody '80s slasher flick.
—Glamour, 7 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cynic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cynic
Noun
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Edward is a misanthrope and a scold (The Imitation Game).—
Graham Hillard,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
21 Feb. 2025
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In the face of international law enforcement pressure, dozens of prosecutions, and worldwide disrepute, the network of young sadists, misanthropes, child predators, and extortionists known as Com and 764 has not shrunk away into obscurity.—
Ali Winston,
WIRED,
12 Mar. 2025
Noun
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However, Trump’s take on business — relying on a host of ventures built to maximize quick profits — is far grander than his minimalist views on national economics, which critics view as bordering on severe.—
Emily Hallas,
The Washington Examiner,
21 June 2025
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Yeah, critics missed the point with this series, and especially missed the point with Retribution (seriously, a 28% rating?!).—
Travis Bean,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2025
Noun
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But that doesn’t stop a chorus of pessimists from emerging amid periods of market volatility.—
Luke Andriuk,
Forbes.com,
14 May 2025
-
In contrast, pessimists often miss opportunities by holding cash.—
Michael Khouw,
CNBC,
14 Apr. 2025
Noun
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That would mean overcoming opposition from naysayers who argue the successful record of privatization in other countries doesn’t apply in the U.S., which has 10 times the air traffic as Canada.—
Jeremy Bogaisky,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2025
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These are the kinds of features with which Apple can bring around naysayers.—
Michael Muchmore,
PC Magazine,
12 June 2025
Noun
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The industry is watching, and skeptics are everywhere.—
Jon Wilner,
Mercury News,
10 June 2025
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With the right approach and recipe, even eggplant skeptics will produce superlatively silky, meaty results in no time.—
Joe Sevier,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
8 June 2025
Video
The History of 'Cynic'
How an ancient philosophical movement devoted to the pursuit of virtue came to describe eye-rolling criticism.
Cite this Entry
“Cynic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cynic. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
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