as in critically
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Recent Examples of cynically
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
If men like these call the shots, the regime’s policies will be transformed, however cynically.
—Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 1 Mar. 2026
Nakamura does not see this cynically, but instead hopes to make a positive impact.
—Eduardo Tansley, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2026
The barely disguised soullessness with which AI leaders operate, perhaps, has provided a window for entrepreneurs to peddle a more humane message, in good faith or not in good faith, naively or cynically.
—Frank Landymore, Futurism, 22 Jan. 2026
Fairly or unfairly, genuinely or cynically, questions about Mamdani and Israel—and Palestine, and Jews, and faith, and war, and peace—appear likely to continue.
—Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 21 Jan. 2026
Fighting is satisfying, and big threats, like bosses, are learnable without being predictable, yet tough to fight without ever feeling cynically designed.
—Matt Gardner, Forbes.com, 31 Dec. 2025
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
If men like these call the shots, the regime’s policies will be transformed, however cynically.
—Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 1 Mar. 2026
Nakamura does not see this cynically, but instead hopes to make a positive impact.
—Eduardo Tansley, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2026
The barely disguised soullessness with which AI leaders operate, perhaps, has provided a window for entrepreneurs to peddle a more humane message, in good faith or not in good faith, naively or cynically.
—Frank Landymore, Futurism, 22 Jan. 2026
Fairly or unfairly, genuinely or cynically, questions about Mamdani and Israel—and Palestine, and Jews, and faith, and war, and peace—appear likely to continue.
—Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 21 Jan. 2026
Fighting is satisfying, and big threats, like bosses, are learnable without being predictable, yet tough to fight without ever feeling cynically designed.
—Matt Gardner, Forbes.com, 31 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cynically
Adverb
-
Carolina Maria de Jesus’s story has inspired theatrical plays, musical works, and artistic adaptations in Brazil for decades, and many of these projects were highly successful both critically and culturally.—
Roberto Prieto,
Variety,
26 May 2026
-
There were theories that 007 First Light could slide in as one of the sleeper hits of 2026, and, at least critically, that idea seems to be panning out.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
Adverb
-
All but one replied negatively.—
Peter Hessler,
New Yorker,
31 May 2026
-
Of course, these levels are nowhere near high enough to affect humans negatively or to have psychoactive effects.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
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
Adverb
-
In Europe, a staggering three quarters of Germans and French view China unfavorably.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 May 2026
-
The poll found that Talarico is viewed favorably by 46% of November 2026 Texas likely voters and unfavorably by35%.—
Mateo Rosiles,
USA Today,
18 May 2026
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
Adverb
-
Meanwhile, those students newly entering college are warily eyeing computer science.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
-
Guests began to peek out from under their tables and warily stand up.—
Andrea Castillo,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
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
-
Even so, many in Venezuela seem guardedly optimistic.—
The Atlantic,
The Atlantic,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cynically.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cynically. Accessed 2 Jun. 2026.
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