as in ironical
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
Anyone proposing to offer a master class on changing the world for the better, without becoming negative, cynical, angry or narrow-minded in the process, could model their advice on the life and work of pioneering animal behavior scholar Jane Goodall.
—
Preston Fore, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2025
The reason is simple, if cynical.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 30 Sep. 2025
When the fortune teller’s predictions start to materialize, once cynical Gemma is ready to take a leap of faith.
—Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 30 Sep. 2025
While some provide a more immersive experience than the original, others clearly lack any substantial improvements and are mostly content to be cynical cash grabs.
—George Yang, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cynical
Preston Fore, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2025
The reason is simple, if cynical.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 30 Sep. 2025
When the fortune teller’s predictions start to materialize, once cynical Gemma is ready to take a leap of faith.
—Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 30 Sep. 2025
While some provide a more immersive experience than the original, others clearly lack any substantial improvements and are mostly content to be cynical cash grabs.
—George Yang, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cynical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cynical
Adjective
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Pluribus is as dry, ironic, brutal, and alert to the horrors festering in no small number of human souls as anything he’s made.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
27 Oct. 2025
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Just down the street from the colossal blue Scientology center (one of LA’s top locations for taking an ironic selfie) is Found Oyster, a delightful and perennially (pleasantly) crowded seafood restaurant inspired by clam shacks on the East Coast.—
Jocelyn Silver,
Vogue,
25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The kicking game was so bad that Freeman sounded like Brian Kelly at his sarcastic best when asked about Noah Burnette, Erik Schmidt and Marcello Diomede combining to miss two extra points and one field goal.—
Pete Sampson,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
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Reactions to the freestyle depended on whether or not you were tuned into its sarcastic frequency.—
Jeff Ihaza,
Rolling Stone,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Director Yorgos Lanthimos says audiences have been divided on whether the film presents an optimistic or pessimistic view of the future.—
Lauren Huff,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Oct. 2025
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Senators remain pessimistic about the chances of reaching a bipartisan deal to reopen the government despite the effects of the shutdown becoming more painful for the American people.—
Spencer Kimball,
CNBC,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The negative response to Beijing’s tactics also prompted the G7 to vow a united front against the export controls, Yardeni pointed out.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
25 Oct. 2025
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If the bat is negative, individuals will not need post-exposure treatment.—
Caroline Neal,
Louisville Courier Journal,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Depp will play the titular role of Ebenezer Scrooge, a misanthropic and miserly businessman in 19th century London who is visited by the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future in an effort to save himself from an afterlife of torment.—
Adam B. Vary,
Variety,
23 Oct. 2025
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With the brutal murderer targeting his police colleagues, Thomas makes a desperate gamble, turning to a once well-regarded but now out of favour, misanthropic ex-detective for help.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Frontrunner Zohran Mamdani must convince Black voters skeptical of ambitious campaign promises, including free buses, free universal childcare and a rent freeze on 1 million apartments.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
3 Nov. 2025
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But Feinberg is also intensely skeptical of some of the startups’ promises.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
3 Nov. 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
“Cynical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cynical. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
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