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’s not just my cynicism talking.
—
Michael J. Petrilli, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Today, years later, Danny sings it without cynicism.
—Martín Toro, Rolling Stone, 21 Aug. 2025
In clear and graceful prose, remarkably free of polemic or cynicism, Mazower soberly describes how and why the politics of anti-Semitism have metastasized in such maddening ways.
—Daniel May, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
Sydney’s storyline and younger voice is what cuts Carmy’s cynicism and Richie’s profanity.
—Nikki Sternberg, HollywoodReporter, 18 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cynicism
Michael J. Petrilli, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Today, years later, Danny sings it without cynicism.
—Martín Toro, Rolling Stone, 21 Aug. 2025
In clear and graceful prose, remarkably free of polemic or cynicism, Mazower soberly describes how and why the politics of anti-Semitism have metastasized in such maddening ways.
—Daniel May, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
Sydney’s storyline and younger voice is what cuts Carmy’s cynicism and Richie’s profanity.
—Nikki Sternberg, HollywoodReporter, 18 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cynicism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cynicism
Noun
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But before long his hearing begins to disappear, leading him down a panicked trail of denial, anger and desperation.—
Travis Bean,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
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The Irish have scored four total touchdowns in the past two games against Elko, which included that desperation run by Audric Estime at Duke two years ago.—
Pete Sampson,
New York Times,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Frustration can push us to solve problems, sadness can deepen your appreciation for joy and worry can sometimes sharpen your focus.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
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But sadness, anxiety, anger and frustration can be channeled into actions such as becoming involved in activism and volunteering to help the survivors and society at large.—
Arash Javanbakht,
The Conversation,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Much of the country was in despair then as the Great Recession rolled on.—
John Dorfman,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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Columnist Nancy Armour knows all about Bears despair.—
Chris Bumbaca,
USA Today,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
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View each period of pain, sorrow, and struggle as a natural precursor to your inevitable growth.—
Mark Murphy,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
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Similarly, fellow country artists such as the Dixie Chicks, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill expressed their sorrow over his passing.—
Lynsey Eidell,
People.com,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Yet behind the gloom, the money hasn’t stopped flowing.—
Kolawole Samuel Adebayo,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
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Women and older shoppers were more likely to feel doom and gloom, Schwartz said.—
Meghan Hall,
Sourcing Journal,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
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As history tells us, when the most vicious wars inevitably come to an end, destruction, chaos and hopelessness are left in their wake.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
10 Sep. 2025
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Today that sense of hopelessness has been replaced by a sense of determination and a good deal more hope.—
Gabrielle Emanuel,
NPR,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Within hours, the doubts had grown into pessimism.—
Oren Liebermann,
CNN Money,
11 Sep. 2025
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Other findings were more moderate than the pessimism on future unemployment.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The result is a film that glimmers with moments of wit and melancholy but never settles into coherence.—
Leila Latif,
IndieWire,
31 Aug. 2025
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The film is a series of character studies, quiet, observational and non-judgmental – a comedy, but interwoven with threads of melancholy.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
29 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cynicism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cynicism. Accessed 19 Sep. 2025.
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