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
His contributions have been met with some cynicism.
—
Sophie Austin, Fortune, 29 Apr. 2026
In the face of oppression and cynicism, kindness and joy are revolutionary acts.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 27 Apr. 2026
The cynicism of this strategy is astonishing.
—Isaac Stanley-Becker, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2026
What makes Becky Shaw so fulfilling is its cynicism about love and its ruthless method of hurling those frustrations at its audience.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cynicism
Sophie Austin, Fortune, 29 Apr. 2026
In the face of oppression and cynicism, kindness and joy are revolutionary acts.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 27 Apr. 2026
The cynicism of this strategy is astonishing.
—Isaac Stanley-Becker, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2026
What makes Becky Shaw so fulfilling is its cynicism about love and its ruthless method of hurling those frustrations at its audience.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cynicism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cynicism
Noun
-
If the Lakers are going to find a new level of desperation and resilience to avoid a sweep – answers better emerge on the horizon.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
10 May 2026
-
Then, in a time of desperation, in the middle of March, Brown looked to Clarkson for the spark that has become synonymous with his career as a bench scorer.—
James L. Edwards III,
New York Times,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
There’s some sadness mixed with true joy.—
David Canfield,
HollywoodReporter,
8 May 2026
-
For McKidd, seeing Dane included in the finale montage brought both sadness and gratitude.—
Deirdre Durkan,
PEOPLE,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
All morning, Keller had been swinging between optimism and despair.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
14 May 2026
-
That’s not a reason to despair.—
Jeffrey Sanchez-Burks,
Fortune,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
Yet this book is written more in sorrow than in anger.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 May 2026
-
Late in the picture, a display of kindness from the elderly Catalan woman Lucila looks after introduces an unexpected reciprocity of care — even with those unfamiliar with her sorrows and the intricacies of her cultural background.—
Carlos Aguilar,
IndieWire,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
Labour has been plunged into gloom by heavy losses last week in local elections across England and legislative votes in Scotland and Wales.—
Jill Lawless,
Fortune,
11 May 2026
-
The high summer gloom magnified the nightmarish fairytale of it all.—
Eli Raphael,
PEOPLE,
10 May 2026
Noun
-
Advertisement For decades, the dominant story about Watts was one of pathology and hopelessness.—
Terry McDonell,
Time,
21 Apr. 2026
-
The other featured a comeback that saw hopelessness turn into jubilation.—
Peter Warren,
Houston Chronicle,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Greater pessimism Young people, with fewer physical limitations and family responsibilities — along with an ability to adapt more quickly than older counterparts — normally are more optimistic about their ability to land work.—
Nicholas Riccardi,
Los Angeles Times,
11 May 2026
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One area where Goldman explicitly revises its prior pessimism is jobs — though not in the direction AI boosters would prefer.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
While the actors are committed, poignant and warm, their upbeat tone doesn’t always blend well with the melancholy of the picture.—
Tomris Laffly,
Variety,
13 May 2026
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These flashes of melancholy or yearning give the record complexity and depth, as well as stopping it from devolving into wackiness.—
Alastair Shuttleworth,
Pitchfork,
2 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cynicism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cynicism. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
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