cynically

adverb

Definition of cynicallynext
as in critically

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 cynically That’s either an amazing coincidence of errors or the studies were cynically designed to contrive flaws in RCV. — Paul Haughey, Mercury News, 7 Aug. 2026 Albums of new material followed, showing that Askew’s briny voice and cynically whimsical songcraft had only deepened with age. — Reed Jackson, SPIN, 31 July 2026 As the name suggests, these politicians use populist rhetoric cynically as a vehicle for gaining power. — Literary Hub, 28 July 2026 That argument is sometimes made cynically, by people who’d rather no money were given to anyone for any reason at all. — Nikhil Krishnan, New Yorker, 20 July 2026 There will be those who willfully or cynically refuse to see it that simply. — Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 2 July 2026 Islam’s schism isn’t the primary driver of the region’s conflicts, but it is deployed across the Middle East and beyond — cynically — in pursuit of state and political ambitions. — Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 15 June 2026 Levine said the deposition was cynically used by opposing lawyers, who snipped a small portion of a long deposition to paint a disingenuous narrative. — Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 11 June 2026 The career advice wasn’t cynically wrong. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 1 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cynically
  1. critically
  2. negatively
  3. disparagingly
  4. unfavorably
  5. disapprovingly
  6. warily
  7. guardedly
Adverb
  • In addition to the dead, several survivors were critically injured, said Gervais Ganagoroh, a local Red Cross volunteer involved in relief efforts.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Third Future School’s curriculum emphasizes helping students think critically, problem solve and apply learning across all subject areas.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of critically
Adverb
  • Especially as this technology is clinically embedded, developers and leaders must keep a low threshold to pause implementation and roll-out should patient safety or physician workflows ever be impacted negatively.
    — Dr. Sai Balasubramanian, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Max Fondren, president of the ICEBreakers student group, said the organization believes the university's partnership with immigration authorities could negatively affect students.
    — Ivan Taylor, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of negatively
Adverb
  • Some speak disparagingly about Murray’s introverted nature, and others prefer not to ding him.
    — Alec Lewis, New York Times, 28 July 2026
  • The craze has even spawned knockoffs, disparagingly known as Lafufu.
    — Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 24 Mar. 2026
Definition of disparagingly
Adverb
  • The larger issue is that anyone replacing Kornheiser would be compared with him, likely unfavorably.
    — Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Mamdani yielded positive responses from those polled in New York City, where 69% of respondents saw Mamdani favorably, while 24% of respondents viewed him unfavorably.
    — Jay Stahl, USA Today, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of unfavorably
Adverb
  • The same goes for her father when there’s no sign of pregnancy and the judgy women at church start clucking disapprovingly.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 15 Feb. 2026
  • Rosenbury notes disapprovingly that there was a petition to rescind Kirk’s invitation.
    — Louis Menand, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2025
Definition of disapprovingly
Adverb
  • Livestream videos from that night capture people warily approaching the shooting scene.
    — Sydney Brownstone, NPR, 2 Aug. 2026
  • The situation can leave a Gen Xer to watch their retirement fund warily.
    — Kevin Williams, CNBC, 26 July 2026
Definition of warily
Adverb
  • The tall, garrulous 72-year-old county commissioner is guardedly patriotic.
    — Susan Bence, NPR, 4 July 2026
  • San Diego faces economic challenges in the coming year, but one expert is guardedly optimistic about efforts to address affordability and the potential benefits of artificial intelligence.
    — Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
Definition of guardedly

Browse Nearby Words

cynical
cynically
cynicism
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cynically.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cynically. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of tilde

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All