cynicism

noun

Definition of cynicismnext
as in desperation
cynical beliefs; beliefs that people are generally selfish and dishonest Nothing could change her cynicism about politics.

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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 cynicism But experience of previous support programs has lowered expectations and created a good deal of cynicism about the potential effectiveness of the latest scheme among those at the TIFFCOM content market at Tokyo International Film Festival. — Gavin J Blair, HollywoodReporter, 2 Nov. 2026 Coffee, briefcases, snappy repartee with a whiff of cynicism — where are Bradley Whitford and Allison Janney? — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2026 Belief and cynicism can exist in the same office and within the same person. — Jieun Baek, Foreign Affairs, 30 Oct. 2026 A lot of that cynicism plus hopefulness comes out of the experience of modern life and day-to-day life. — Sam MacDonald, Scientific American, 28 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cynicism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cynicism
  1. desperation
  2. sadness
  3. despair
  4. sorrow
  5. gloom
  6. hopelessness
  7. pessimism
  8. melancholy
Noun
  • But across this wolf may cry, her breathy delivery becomes so uniform that longing, frustration, and romantic desperation frequently sound indistinguishable.
    — Precious Fondren, Pitchfork, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Our community is dying; there’s an underlying sense of desperation, grief and pride that can both protect and suffocate out of a need to survive – this film is ultimately a love letter to us, with a sense of knowing.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of desperation
Noun
  • Through such simple but evocative images, Zhang creates a whole world of suspicion and sadness.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Throughout, there’s a lingering sadness, which is properly explored in a superb episode made up of a trifecta of flashbacks, and his dour constitution still pairs perfectly with Helen’s reassuring nature.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of sadness
Noun
  • What really sets Black Doves apart, though, are its lovable characters and its beguiling mix of laughs and tears, which flirt with existential despair without ever fully tipping into it.
    — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 5 Nov. 2026
  • The throngs of freedmen and women only compounded white Georgians’ despair.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of despair
Noun
  • Words cannot express the profound sorrow our department and community feel tonight over the loss of our fallen hero, who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to Lakewood.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 6 Nov. 2026
  • What feels like a weight of helplessness and sorrow on our shoulders may, with enough space, also reflect our remarkable capacities for strength, steadfastness, and compassion.
    — Robert M. Kinast, STAT, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of sorrow
Noun
  • Defying early predictions of gloom, e-commerce majors witnessed a sales uptick of approximately 25 percent over the previous year.
    — Mayu Saini, Footwear News, 9 Nov. 2026
  • The sun is shining to pierce the gloom / Where sanity will rule and roses bloom.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of gloom
Noun
  • These were long, agonizing deaths marked by intolerable pain and hopelessness.
    — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Symptoms can be similar to depression, and can include persistent feelings of hopelessness or pessimism and difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of hopelessness
Noun
  • Symptoms can be similar to depression, and can include persistent feelings of hopelessness or pessimism and difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Yinka’s view There is no shortage of pessimism about Africa’s prospects in the AI race.
    — Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of pessimism
Noun
  • The vestiges of his fading memory flash by with a haunting plainness, the melancholy of all this Americana and the sadness of a mind ravaged by time strike the viewer plainly at the end of this maximalist piece of life-writing.
    — Stephanie Wambugu, Vulture, 12 Oct. 2026
  • The question for me is whether or not Lloyd will also manage to capture the melancholy of a deceptively serious play, notwithstanding its reputation.
    — Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of melancholy

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Cite this Entry

“Cynicism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cynicism. Accessed 12 Nov. 2026.

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