as in ironic
having or showing a deep distrust of human beings and their motives
so cynical that he can't understand why anyone would volunteer to help out at a homeless shelter
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cynical
Ohm, a cynical skeptic, dismisses their claims.
—
Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 15 Mar. 2026
Like, usually young people are more cynical about it.
—Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 13 Mar. 2026
This cynical piece of legislation is championed by progressive Democrats who seek to tip the scales in favor of public transit over personal vehicles.
—Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 11 Mar. 2026
The role demands charisma, vocal chops, and sharp comedic timing, all deployed within one of the most cynical satires in the musical theater canon.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cynical
Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 15 Mar. 2026
Like, usually young people are more cynical about it.
—Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 13 Mar. 2026
This cynical piece of legislation is championed by progressive Democrats who seek to tip the scales in favor of public transit over personal vehicles.
—Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 11 Mar. 2026
The role demands charisma, vocal chops, and sharp comedic timing, all deployed within one of the most cynical satires in the musical theater canon.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cynical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cynical
Adjective
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What's ironic is that this ability to adapt and upgrade made the U-2 outlive even its own successor.—
David Szondy
March 29,
New Atlas,
29 Mar. 2026
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The wry commentary eventually curdled into ironic prophecy, as Keynes became one of those defunct economists.—
Megan McArdle,
Washington Post,
29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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James then scrunched his face into a sarcastic, close-eyed smile.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Brendon was a fan favorite among the cast for his loyalty to his friends and sarcastic sense of humor.—
Jack Dunn,
Variety,
21 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Washington — Americans are growing more pessimistic about the US economy as the war on Iran continues to roil markets, with sentiment falling across all income groups — including the wealthiest.—
Bryan Mena,
CNN Money,
27 Mar. 2026
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Faced with yet another national crisis, many in Lebanon are pessimistic.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
This could be about your past or something ongoing, positive or negative.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
26 Mar. 2026
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During opening arguments, Mark Lanier presented the jury internal company documents from Meta and YouTube that showed tech executives knew of and discussed the negative effects of their products on children.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The misanthropic music matched the bleak unreality of the antisocial pandemic world.—
Kieran Press-Reynolds,
Pitchfork,
26 Feb. 2026
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By the end of the year, Alfred Tennyson, lately miserable, misanthropic, semi-broke, and semi-feral, had been made the Poet Laureate of England.—
Kathryn Schulz,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Asselin is skeptical of the state's job claims, since automation and technology changes come fast.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
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Oil prices climbed as investors grew skeptical of efforts to end the war.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
27 Mar. 2026
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
“Cynical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cynical. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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