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cynical

adjective

Synonyms and Antonyms of cynical

having or showing a deep distrust of human beings and their motives

  • so cynical that he canʼt understand why anyone would volunteer to help out at a homeless shelter
Synonyms of cynical

misanthropic, pessimistic
Words Related to cynical

distrustful, mistrustful, negativist, negativistic, skeptical, suspicious

derisive, mocking, sardonic, scornful

defeatist, fatalistic, negative

ironic (also ironical), sarcastic

jaded, sophisticated, worldly-wise

hard-bitten, hard-boiled, hardcase, hard-edged, unsentimental
Near Antonyms of cynical

trustful, trusting, unsuspicious

cheerful, optimistic, positive, positivist, positivistic, rose-colored

ingenuous, innocent, naive (or naïve), unsophisticated

idealistic, impractical, romantic

maudlin, mushy, saccharine, sappy, sentimental
Antonyms of cynical

uncynical

Synonym Discussion of cynical

cynical, misanthropic, pessimistic mean deeply distrustful. cynical implies having a sneering disbelief in sincerity or integrity.
    • cynical about politicians' motives
misanthropic suggests a rooted distrust and dislike of human beings and their society.
    • a solitary and misanthropic artist
pessimistic implies having a gloomy, distrustful view of life.
    • pessimistic about the future

Learn More about cynical

  1. See words that rhyme with cynical Dictionary: Definition of cynical Spanish Central: Translation of cynical Nglish: Translation of cynical for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of cynical for Arabic speakers

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