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

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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 But weddings also bring out the cynics, and there are a lot of people who cannot be swayed by a wedding. — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 16 July 2026 In the afterglow of the evening, even hardened cynics couldn't deny that being admired by millions is no substitute for being loved by one. — Bryan West, USA Today, 7 July 2026 The native New Yorker has won over cynics before, his peers tell Fortune. — Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 3 July 2026 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 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
  • No formal opposition argument was submitted against the measure, though at least one critic, the League of Women Voters, has said Proposition 37 would fail to confront racial barriers to wealth-building and lower overall costs for families.
    — Richard Ramos, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026
  • France became a cautionary tale, with critics often pointing to estimates that tens of thousands of millionaires left while its wealth tax was in place.
    — Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of critic
Noun
  • Optimists and pessimists can see the same problem, Gielan explains.
    — Harvard Business Review, Harvard Business Review, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Being the unintentional voice of political pessimism can make a person something of a pessimist.
    — David Mack, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of pessimist
Noun
  • But space-industry naysayers will search for other ways to slow innovation.
    — Max Harden, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Former officials and people in the election-integrity movement told ProPublica that Mitchell has had to overcome naysayers within the administration, including White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles.
    — Doug Bock Clark, ProPublica, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of naysayer
Noun
  • But techno-skeptics have argued that warnings of doom are designed to inflate valuations and hype the technology.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026
  • The results and outlook may not convince any skeptics to change their tune, especially as elevated gas prices remain a threat to consumer spending.
    — Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of skeptic

Browse Nearby Words

cylindrical
cynic
cynical
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Cite this Entry

“Cynic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cynic. Accessed 4 Nov. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on cynic

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cynic

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