CYNICISM Synonyms: 76 Similar and Opposite Words

cynicism

noun

Definition of cynicism

as in desperation

cynical beliefs; beliefs that people are generally selfish and dishonest Nothing could change her cynicism about politics.

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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 cynicism The other presidents had some semblance of comedic appreciation, whether through cynicism, irony, sarcasm, joke-telling, joke appreciation or storytelling. — John Blumenthal, Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026 The critic who found a helpful narrative to understand the history, and future, of our images, without a drop of cynicism. — Carlos Valladares, ARTnews.com, 14 Aug. 2026 Townshend’s cynicism proved prescient as the generation that marched, occupied, and dropped out in the late 1960s spent the 1970s watching the New Left splinter. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 10 Aug. 2026 Crosland’s interpretation begins with a prologue showing the origin of Don Juan’s romantic cynicism, followed by an epic tale of lust, love, and deceit. — Air Mail, 8 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cynicism

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cynicism

Noun

But in his desperation to find a Russian pressure point that could restart the peace process, Zelensky allowed preparations for the strikes to continue for several months this spring and early summer, both sources said.

— Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2026
Mac Ghlionn paints a picture of desperation whereby the 65+ cohort must work to pay the bills, but the happier reality is that this is not your grandfather's 65.

— John Tamny, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of desperation

Noun

Moving forward Growers who are moving on in the wake of the Del Monte collapse are experiencing a slew of emotions ranging from hope to despair.

— Lizzie Kane, Sacbee.com, 23 Aug. 2026
At Rimini’s Catholic festival, Leo urges believers to confront unjust economic and technological systems, asserting that ‘there can be no enemies’ and hailing young Catholics as a hopeful antidote to despair.

— Giada Zampano, Los Angeles Times, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of despair

Noun

Richards somehow had the fortitude to continue a grueling European tour in the middle of all this chaos and sorrow, but a stadium run through America at the end of the summer was simply too much to ask.

— Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 21 Aug. 2026
Prescott’s story is both a rallying cry and a tragic narrative full of sorrow.

— Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of sorrow

Noun

Bees avoid the gloom of the understory—with few flowers, there’s little to entice them—but wasps don’t mind it, and are attracted to the helleborines by the promise of an intoxicating nectar (itself made by a symbiosis with fungi).

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Aug. 2026
Amid the gloom, one local nonprofit group is working to celebrate iconic cartoons to support the animators of today — and remind people of the joy of animation.

— Marah Eakin, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of gloom

Noun

Although the wealthy Gulf oil states and small slivers of Arab elites flourished within this system, for most people the American order meant only violence, hopelessness, and deprivation.

— MARC LYNCH, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026
But in recent months and years, a sense of hopelessness has increasingly gripped those still remaining on the island.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of hopelessness

Noun

This is where pessimism started to grow significantly about their chances of signing Alvarez.

— James McNicholas, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
The University of Michigan's consumer sentiment index, also released Friday, showed greater pessimism about the economy this month, likely driven by stubbornly high prices.

— CBS News, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of pessimism

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“Cynicism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cynicism. Accessed 28 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of cynicism

noun

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