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
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
All one needs is to read the headlines today, 45 years down the road, to see that sometimes cynics have a point.
—George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 30 Dec. 2024
The cynics say the wildfires are the death knell of the film business.
—Todd Heyman, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
See All Example Sentences for cynic
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
All one needs is to read the headlines today, 45 years down the road, to see that sometimes cynics have a point.
—George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 30 Dec. 2024
The cynics say the wildfires are the death knell of the film business.
—Todd Heyman, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
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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Highlights of the evening included a live musical performance by Carla Renata, actress, film critic and singer.—
Carin Schoppmeyer,
Arkansas Online,
18 May 2025
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Trump has highlighted measures, including lifting taxes on tips and overtime that Republicans say would boost working-class Americans, while critics say the bill will offer more benefits to the wealthy.—
David Morgan,
USA Today,
17 May 2025
Noun
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In contrast, pessimists often miss opportunities by holding cash.—
Michael Khouw,
CNBC,
14 Apr. 2025
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The power basketball conferences have dominated, and because power means football, and football means money, specifically more NIL money to use as tokens for players to use the NCAA transfer portal, pessimists see the mid-majors such as San Diego State on life support.—
Nick Canepa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Fortunately, the little girl with the big dream, has always relied on her own instincts, and had the strength and fortitude to dismiss the naysayers.—
Pam Windsor,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2025
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Once again, the naysayers began yapping, with people wondering if Blue, an 11-year-old first-time performer, would grow up to live up to her iconic mother, who, at that point, had decades of experience under her belt.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
People.com,
9 May 2025
Noun
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But skeptics argue that political access isn’t a substitute for cultural alignment or academic vision.—
Garrett Shanley,
Miami Herald,
17 May 2025
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The skeptics counter that inflation could still be coming, despite Trump’s retreat from the highest levies.—
Niall Stanage,
The Hill,
16 May 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 27 May. 2025.
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