cynic

noun

ˈsi-nik How to pronounce cynic (audio)
Definition of cynicnext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of cynic Not everyone is happy about this apparently, as large portions of cynics and haters on social media are apparently ready to say auf wiedersehen to Freddy. — Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 30 June 2026 At a time when British independent film continues to struggle, this feature is keeping the cynics at bay. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 29 June 2026 Naturally, the cynics will want to naysay. — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 17 June 2026 And, though a lot of cynics will try to convince you otherwise, that’s perfectly OK. — Michael Silver, New York Times, 21 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for cynic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cynic
  1. misanthrope
  2. critic
  3. pessimist
  4. naysayer
  5. skeptic
Noun
  • Still, this misanthrope takes somewhat of a liking to Fiona (Florence Ordesh), the woman who shows him to his room and tends the hotel bar.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 30 Apr. 2026
  • The story follows a rag-tag group of misanthropes who attempt to rob jewels from the Vatican.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 10 Mar. 2026
Definition of misanthrope
Noun
  • In November, the state will vote on whether to reduce property taxes through an amendment that critics have warned could gut local budgets.
    — Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 21 July 2026
  • But critics worry that the breakneck pace is compromising safety and public trust.
    — Berly McCoy, NPR, 20 July 2026
Definition of critic
Noun
  • Though the pessimists should be considered carefully, the latest Nobel laureates—awarded their prizes for their on work long-term growth—are optimistic.
    — Bill Conerly, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
  • But pessimists worry that companies are deferring the cost of massive spending, while front-loading the benefits.
    — Sarah Min, CNBC, 14 July 2026
Definition of pessimist
Noun
  • Economically, the travel advisor’s role has proven to be much more resilient than naysayers have historically predicted.
    — Jacques Ledbetter, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
  • There have been naysayers about the effectiveness of a Comic-Con panel.
    — Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 July 2026
Definition of naysayer
Noun
  • Bulls point to the company's leadership in launch services, Starlink's expansion, and its artificial intelligence ambitions, while skeptics have questioned how much future growth is already reflected in the stock.
    — Yun Li, CNBC, 21 July 2026
  • But to go seven years without making the playoffs would have surprised any skeptic back then — if such skeptics even existed.
    — Max Bultman, New York Times, 17 July 2026
Definition of skeptic

Browse Nearby Words

cylindrical
cynic
cynical
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cynic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cynic. Accessed 22 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on cynic

Nglish: Translation of cynic for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cynic

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of stalwart

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
thumbnail graphic with text word of the day quiz
Weekly "Word of the Day" Quiz See how well you know each Word of the Day for Ju...
See All