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 now Newsom’s cynicism is plain for all to see.
—
U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Oct. 2025
For decades, they have been disillusioned by the cynicism, intellectual narrowness and greed of the corporate academy, which chose profit over principles while providing knowledge without conscience, skill without reflection, and schooling without heart.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
In a world of cynicism, Logano refuses to fall in line.
—Jeff Gluck, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
Kiss weathered cynicism and disinterest from the snobby New York music scene in their early months — Frehley worked as a taxi driver to pay the bills — but, crucially, united with manager Bill Aucoin in September 1973, who began plotting the band’s path to stardom with the bandmembers.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cynicism
U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Oct. 2025
For decades, they have been disillusioned by the cynicism, intellectual narrowness and greed of the corporate academy, which chose profit over principles while providing knowledge without conscience, skill without reflection, and schooling without heart.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
In a world of cynicism, Logano refuses to fall in line.
—Jeff Gluck, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
Kiss weathered cynicism and disinterest from the snobby New York music scene in their early months — Frehley worked as a taxi driver to pay the bills — but, crucially, united with manager Bill Aucoin in September 1973, who began plotting the band’s path to stardom with the bandmembers.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 16 Oct. 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
-
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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Followers and fans of Tika online expressed their sadness in the comment section.—
Tabitha Parent,
PEOPLE,
5 Nov. 2025
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And in the last days of August, laughter and pot would waft over the scene, happiness laced with sadness.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Every adrenaline rush comes with a chaser of low rage and simmering despair.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
11 Nov. 2025
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His face could collapse in shame, his jaw sliding sideways; neither Goya nor Ensor painted despair more vividly.—
David Denby,
New Yorker,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
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And that's appropriate; coziness and sorrow are not mutually exclusive.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Nov. 2025
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Teams and players in the sport expressed sorrow about the news.—
Ryan Canfield,
FOXNews.com,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Slot must decide whether to keep faith with the same line up which helped lift the gloom with a 2-0 win over Aston Villa on Saturday.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
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In the season four premiere of Mayor of Kingstown, co-creators/writers Hugh Dillon and Taylor Sheridan waste no time smacking viewers with a sense of doom and gloom.—
Demetrius Patterson,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Oct. 2025
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
-
The Dodger dynasty has increased pessimism about labor peace.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
3 Nov. 2025
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The world is experiencing a solar boom that has vastly outperformed expectations and tempered pessimism around climate change.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
31 Oct. 2025
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 22 Nov. 2025.
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