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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cynic
Gunn and Safran and all of Warner Bros can rest easy after the cynics’ snarking over the first trailer back in December.
—
Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 10 July 2025
The evergreen revolving door of oddballs and cynics populating that Manhattan arraignment court in the wee hours of the night and at the center of it all a workplace family that will forever be... until next time.
—EW.com, 19 June 2025
Instead, cynics might argue, the exercise was about proving to the White House that Putin was not interested in the peace, or indeed the specific ceasefire proposal, that the Trump administration sought.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 12 May 2025
But, to the cynics, it could be twisted as a sign that Åberg isn’t wired like the great competitors in sports.
—Brody Miller, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cynic
Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 10 July 2025
The evergreen revolving door of oddballs and cynics populating that Manhattan arraignment court in the wee hours of the night and at the center of it all a workplace family that will forever be... until next time.
—EW.com, 19 June 2025
Instead, cynics might argue, the exercise was about proving to the White House that Putin was not interested in the peace, or indeed the specific ceasefire proposal, that the Trump administration sought.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 12 May 2025
But, to the cynics, it could be twisted as a sign that Åberg isn’t wired like the great competitors in sports.
—Brody Miller, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cynic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cynic
Noun
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The moment in the special is about transformation: how even an icy misanthrope can thaw with a bit of generosity and effort.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
24 July 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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An anime about a teenager avenging the deaths of his family at the hands of hordes of carnivorous demons wouldn’t usually be the sort of film which would be met with unanimous praise from critics.—
Caroline Reid,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
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The Republican and Democratic heads of a US congressional committee for strategic competition with China in July stressed their strong support for AUKUS, amid the review of the deal by Elbridge Colby, a top Pentagon policy official and public critic of the pact.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
14 Sep. 2025
Noun
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But don’t listen to the pessimists who say there is no cure.—
Emily Trainham,
FOXNews.com,
12 Sep. 2025
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But don't listen to the pessimists who say there is no cure.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
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But as Bargatze and everyone in his circle will tell you, naysayers are his fuel.—
Lacey Rose,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Sep. 2025
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Instead of directly addressing the naysayers, Rutledge acknowledged taking a less conspicuous approach.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
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From pies and cookies to cakes and croissants, Publix is giving pumpkin fans (and even pumpkin skeptics) plenty to swoon over this season.—
Melinda Salchert,
Southern Living,
12 Sep. 2025
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Harold belongs to a recognizable genre of social skeptic who has popped up in the past few years.—
Jeremy Gordon,
The Atlantic,
12 Sep. 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 17 Sep. 2025.
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