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
Felder entreats us to reject both optimism and cynicism.
—
Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
The correct attitude toward this stuff is probably a cautious cynicism—knowing bad actors will continue to milk AI for the most mercenary purposes, while not ruling out the chance for bizarre genius.
—Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 28 Jan. 2026
But every so often, that cynicism is unwarranted.
—Iman Balagam, Vogue, 28 Jan. 2026
The disinformation campaign created cynicism and controversy concerning Pahlavi’s true popularity inside the country and his tacit connection with Israel before and during the war.
—Eric Lob, The Conversation, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cynicism
Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
The correct attitude toward this stuff is probably a cautious cynicism—knowing bad actors will continue to milk AI for the most mercenary purposes, while not ruling out the chance for bizarre genius.
—Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 28 Jan. 2026
But every so often, that cynicism is unwarranted.
—Iman Balagam, Vogue, 28 Jan. 2026
The disinformation campaign created cynicism and controversy concerning Pahlavi’s true popularity inside the country and his tacit connection with Israel before and during the war.
—Eric Lob, The Conversation, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cynicism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cynicism
Noun
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As half-time approached during Sunderland’s visit, there was a growing desperation for an opener from the Emirates crowd.—
Art de Roché,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
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Saturday in the Battle at the Bay at Mission Bay High School, the last big event before the end of the regular season, Montgomery fell behind by 17 points, went on a 16-0 run, and then lost 57-56 to Steele Canyon when a desperation last-second shot banged off the rim.—
John Maffei,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Get ready for tears – of sadness, of fear, and of laughter.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Feb. 2026
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That's my sadness around that game.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Frederick battled intermittent despair and sought solace in Swedenborgianism and other, stranger beliefs.—
Kathryn Schulz,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
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That’s not always possible, but don’t despair.—
Helen Carefoot,
Flow Space,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The lust for vengeance eventually gets the better of him, but Swenson leads us step by step to depravity through sorrow, injustice and humiliation.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Feb. 2026
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For Proust—who may have met Wilde and even been the subject of the older man’s amorous attention (though accounts of their meeting or meetings could be apocryphal)—his downfall showed that life featured far keener sorrows than those encountered in books.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 Feb. 2026
Noun
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In the gloom of February winter, these indulgences will make your day so much sweeter.—
Samantha Nelson,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Feb. 2026
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There are no answers, just doom, gloom, and radical acceptance.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
His motion veered between expressions of hopelessness and elaborate proposals for prisoner exchanges.—
Kinsey Crowley,
USA Today,
4 Feb. 2026
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The American intelligence community has long known that insurgent groups—many of which openly seek the destruction of the United States—rely on desperation, food insecurity, and hopelessness to gain recruits.—
Hana Kiros,
The Atlantic,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The report provides vindication for economists like Apollo’s Torsten Slok, who have stayed bullish despite widespread pessimism.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
11 Feb. 2026
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In the face of widespread pessimism about the political fate of the United States and growing political polarization, scholars and citizens across the country are reimagining how American democracy could better serve the needs of the whole population.—
Jennifer Lynn McCoy,
The Conversation,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
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But Wednesday’s report about the parking fees quickly backfiring should turn this melancholy into fury.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Jan. 2026
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At some point this winter — maybe a few days, maybe a few weeks — melancholy will fade and Hurricanes fans will be able to appreciate all that was accomplished during a season when UM got back its good name and returned to prominence.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
20 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cynicism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cynicism. Accessed 13 Feb. 2026.
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