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
But the combination of naked ambition, absence of cynicism, and a sunny disposition seemed awfully suspicious.
—
Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 3 Mar. 2026
This cynicism about the whole thing.
—Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 27 Feb. 2026
The first Scream skewered Hollywood cynicism.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2026
Paul had no patience for cynicism masquerading as wisdom.
—Chelsea Clinton, Vanity Fair, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cynicism
Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 3 Mar. 2026
This cynicism about the whole thing.
—Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 27 Feb. 2026
The first Scream skewered Hollywood cynicism.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2026
Paul had no patience for cynicism masquerading as wisdom.
—Chelsea Clinton, Vanity Fair, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cynicism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cynicism
Noun
-
This day in sports history 1943 — Eddie Dancker banks in a desperation 25-foot hook shot from the corner to give Sheboygan a 30-29 win over Fort Wayne and the National Basketball League crown.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
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What is beauty if not precisely the property that provokes us to abandon all pretense of analytic remove in our desperation to draw closer?—
Becca Rothfeld,
New Yorker,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
There is only sadness that they're gone.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Osanmoh notes that although losing might elicit some feelings of sadness, disappointment, and even anger in kids of all ages, this outcome has serious value.—
Stephanie Ganz,
Parents,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
This optimism turns into despair not one second into the organizing effort, when Ben discovers that his oven is out of commission.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Yet other oil surges did not lead to deep economic despair.—
Jonathan Lansner,
Oc Register,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Faced with the closure announcement on Facebook, commenters quickly expressed sorrow — and reminisced.—
Michael Deeds,
Idaho Statesman,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Buford’s issued a statement Monday expressing sorrow for the victims and thanking law enforcement.—
Lily Kepner,
Austin American Statesman,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
To fill the space, models are turning away from doomscrolling (there’s enough doom and gloom in the news right now) and toward novels.—
Arden Fanning Andrews,
Vogue,
6 Mar. 2026
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In the meantime, rounds of rain, gloom and chilly temperatures are in the forecast.—
Cutter Martin,
CBS News,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
If your friend or family member is struggling to keep up with daily responsibilities, constantly ruminating about relationship issues, or expressing a sense of hopelessness, consider bringing it up, says Francesca Emma, a therapist in New York.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
24 Feb. 2026
-
His motion veered between expressions of hopelessness and elaborate proposals for prisoner exchanges.—
Kinsey Crowley,
USA Today,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Fortunately, our pessimism was misplaced.—
Fleurine Tideman,
Glamour,
5 Mar. 2026
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Along with co-founder Kyle Chayka, now of The New Yorker, Alioto first imagined Dirt as a moment-meeting entertainment brand that brooks very little techno-pessimism.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
On his early records, the London musician made do with saxophone alone, looping and layering his instrument into billowing expressions of foghorn melancholy.—
Philip Sherburne,
Pitchfork,
26 Feb. 2026
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Turner plays the middle brother with intriguing melancholy and an almost alien detachment, which works within the world this film creates, but not necessarily for a main character.—
David Opie,
IndieWire,
15 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cynicism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cynicism. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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