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
That allows the transition between the Ghoul and Cooper to feel smoother, so that Cooper’s increasing cynicism is more in step with the Ghoul’s rising desperation.
—
Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 16 Dec. 2025
In Pottersville, greed, corruption and cynicism reign supreme.
—Nora Gilbert, The Conversation, 11 Dec. 2025
Perusing the peanut butter and chocolate chip cookie recipe that Khoury has given Vogue from his book (yes, the one Nigella Lawson loves), any cynicism falls away.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 4 Dec. 2025
Left unchecked, fear and cynicism fill the space.
—Big Think, 27 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cynicism
Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 16 Dec. 2025
In Pottersville, greed, corruption and cynicism reign supreme.
—Nora Gilbert, The Conversation, 11 Dec. 2025
Perusing the peanut butter and chocolate chip cookie recipe that Khoury has given Vogue from his book (yes, the one Nigella Lawson loves), any cynicism falls away.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 4 Dec. 2025
Left unchecked, fear and cynicism fill the space.
—Big Think, 27 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cynicism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cynicism
Noun
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In desperation, Ben calls their older sister Hannah (Alexandra Daddario), despite scant contact since she got thrown out of the family home years prior.—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
7 Nov. 2025
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Two goals down with 30 minutes left, Charlotte pushed forward with desperation but lacked precision.—
Colin Cerniglia,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Emotions were on full display with many expressing sadness and frustration, not only over Wednesday's federal raid, but raids happening around the Twin Cities over the last 40 days.—
WCCO Staff,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
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The initial answer to that question is a no, according to some evangelical pastors and commentators who reacted with shock and sadness to Yancey’s confession.—
John Blake,
CNN Money,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Monday’s loss to the Celtics highlighted the despair in the state of the current Bulls frontcourt.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Jan. 2026
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But Wharton, unlike the characters in her novels, never seemed to give in to despair.—
Lila Shapiro,
Vulture,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Death, fear, and sorrow unify the disparate practices.—
Rivka Galchen,
New Yorker,
7 Jan. 2026
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But grief will give you so much more than sorrow.—
Lauren DePino,
CNN Money,
4 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Why, then, the unrelenting economic gloom?—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
6 Jan. 2026
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But despite all the gloom, there are reasons for optimism.—
Wayne Winegarden,
Oc Register,
4 Jan. 2026
Noun
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However, amid the current turmoil in all three branches of our government, the show echoes a tone of hopelessness.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
6 Nov. 2025
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In a world fraught with real-life villains, political upheaval and a collective sense of hopelessness, fantasy steps in to inspire people to carry on, and that rings especially true for LGBTQ+ teens.—
Brittany Johnson,
PEOPLE,
2 Nov. 2025
Noun
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But pessimism about recent events in Venezuela isn’t shared by all opposition supporters, including former political prisoner Luis Mata.—
NBC News,
NBC news,
8 Jan. 2026
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While Republicans are more optimistic than their independent and Democratic counterparts across the issues polled, the negative shift from 2025 to 2026 was largely driven by growing pessimism among conservatives — a warning sign for the White House in a midterm election year.—
Morgan Chalfant,
semafor.com,
5 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Coppola and production designer Ziering will explore their creative partnership, the aesthetic and emotional storytelling that defines Coppola’s visual universe — from the suburban melancholy of Palo Alto to the luminous complexity of The Last Showgirl.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
29 Oct. 2025
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Full of dread and melancholy, the Austrian import flips the creepy-kid script a bit by centering on two boys (Elias and Lukas Schwarz) who wonder whether their mom (Susanne Wuest), whose head is wrapped in bandages after facial surgery, is actually their mom. 38.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
21 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cynicism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cynicism. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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