as in desperation
cynical beliefs; beliefs that people are generally selfish and dishonest
Nothing could change her cynicism about politics.
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Recent Examples of cynicism
And the ways that curiosity may just be an antidote to the cynicism and despair that are too often the lingua franca of the internet.
—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
26 June 2026
Eric Flanagan, owner of 3 Trees Hospitality, approached the World Cup with more cynicism.
—
Katelyn Umholtz,
Kansas City Star,
25 June 2026
He was impressed by the novel’s noirish atmosphere, its deadpan approach to the fantastical conceit, and its wit, which stopped short of cynicism.
—
Julian Lucas,
New Yorker,
22 June 2026
The cynicism and paranoia of the '70s are ever-present, exploring America's moral decay amid troubled times.
—
Eric Farwell,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for cynicism
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
26 June 2026
Eric Flanagan, owner of 3 Trees Hospitality, approached the World Cup with more cynicism.
—
Katelyn Umholtz,
Kansas City Star,
25 June 2026
He was impressed by the novel’s noirish atmosphere, its deadpan approach to the fantastical conceit, and its wit, which stopped short of cynicism.
—
Julian Lucas,
New Yorker,
22 June 2026
The cynicism and paranoia of the '70s are ever-present, exploring America's moral decay amid troubled times.
—
Eric Farwell,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for cynicism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cynicism
Noun
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Tensions flared Saturday as desperation grew among anguished residents of the Venezuelan state of La Guaira, where rescuers and civilians searched for earthquake survivors amid a sharply rising death toll.
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But the show repeatedly undercuts that point of view by halfway reinforcing the age-old American assumption that crime is born of poor individual choices among an uncivilized populace, not of poverty, desperation, and preservation, both self and communal.
Noun
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Each room explores a different human emotion — joy and love, fear and hope, sadness and gratitude, anger and resilience.
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Working again with collaborators Adrian Utley (Portishead) and Shahzad Ismaily (Ceramic Dog) and joined by Nick Hakim and drummer Tom Skinner (the Smile), Orton uses The Ground Above to create weighty songs that deal with both joy and sadness.
Noun
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Rather than wallow in the despair of his wife's death, Robin decided to start Kay Days, a non-profit that pays for patients' parking on select days and during the week of his beloved wife's birthday.
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That poor driver had to listen to me sniffle in shameful despair all the way back to the city.
Noun
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Kara is addicted to drowning her sorrows and avoiding responsibility, but learns to embrace heroism after embarking on a quest for revenge alongside Ruthye (Eve Ridley).
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Parting is such sweet sorrow, but these guys aren’t going gently into the night just yet.
Noun
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The broader mood tracks right alongside, with 40% expecting AI to be bad for society over the next twenty years against 16% who expect good, the gloom running deepest among adults under 30, and 63% saying the whole thing is moving too fast.
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The partying turned to gloom after the temblors.
Noun
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But where some might see hopelessness, Ortiz sees an opportunity for connection.
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And when young people feel disconnected or believe systems are unresponsive to their daily experiences, that disconnection can deepen isolation and hopelessness.
Noun
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Even as the United States approaches the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence − a celebration of the founding of the world's oldest modern constitutional democracy − most Americans are mired in dissatisfaction with the nation's present and pessimism about its future.
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This decline deprives teens of vital skill development, work experience, and motivation, fostering pessimism among Gen Z.
Noun
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Beneath all the sensuality and beauty, there’s also a lingering melancholy that feels very familiar to me.
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Early Years Eichenberg recounted his childhood with some melancholy.
Cite this Entry
“Cynicism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cynicism. Accessed 1 Jul. 2026.
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