cynically

adverb

Definition of cynicallynext
as in critically

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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 cynically 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 Sure, the White House is cynically exploiting a painful situation. — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 27 Apr. 2026 All these decades later, a great many people still think gasoline supplies and prices are being cynically gamed by the oil companies. — Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2026 Khamenei was their religious and spiritual anchor, a guide through an uncertain age dominated by a superpower that cynically wielded the language of human rights and freedom as cover for its endless appetite for resources and power. — Alex Shams, Time, 14 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cynically
  1. critically
  2. negatively
  3. disparagingly
  4. unfavorably
  5. disapprovingly
  6. warily
  7. guardedly
Adverb
  • The director has established himself as this century’s preëminent Hollywood filmmaker, the rare working artist whose catalogue is as commercially indomitable as it is critically lauded.
    — Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 22 July 2026
  • Well past Squid Game, extremely high-quality content has emerged from the country to land as hits, critically, viewership-wise or both.
    — Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
Definition of critically
Adverb
  • Jones has backed Amendment 4 on his Facebook page, sharing an opinion piece that argues rural voters have less of a say in the ballot initiative process currently used by the state and are negatively affected by metropolitan agendas.
    — Sophie Lindberg July 27, Kansas City Star, 27 July 2026
  • Meanwhile, neuroticism was negatively linked to quality of life in these later years.
    — Refractor, Refractor, 27 July 2026
Definition of negatively
Adverb
  • The craze has even spawned knockoffs, disparagingly known as Lafufu.
    — Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 24 Mar. 2026
  • Trump wrote, referring disparagingly to its defense capabilities under Denmark.
    — Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 14 Jan. 2026
Definition of disparagingly
Adverb
  • Novo also pointed to an ad campaign Lilly ran comparing Ozempic unfavorably with Lilly’s Mounjaro, accusing the campaign of comparing a high dose of Mounjaro to a lower dose of Ozempic, despite a higher dose being FDA approved.
    — Conor Murray, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
  • Gallup has found that most Americans continue to view socialism unfavorably, though Democrats express more positive attitudes than Republicans.
    — Nik Popli, Time, 13 July 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
  • Beijing, meanwhile, is warily eying Japan’s bolstering of its defense capabilities.
    — Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 5 June 2026
  • Meanwhile, those students newly entering college are warily eyeing computer science.
    — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 22 May 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

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Cite this Entry

“Cynically.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cynically. Accessed 28 Jul. 2026.

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