cynicism

noun

Definition of cynicismnext
as in desperation
cynical beliefs; beliefs that people are generally selfish and dishonest Nothing could change her cynicism about politics.

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of cynicism This cynicism was a common thread in the reviews with entertainment journalists noting that the remake was released soon after the original in order to squeeze yet more money out of the movie which had already spawned a successful sequel in 2024. — Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026 Patriotism rooted in one or the other can curdle into cynicism or nihilism when confronted with evidence that confounds them. — Mark Brilliant, Mercury News, 9 July 2026 More food, more cynicism Today, Cubans appear far less likely to believe such propaganda. — Joseph J. Gonzalez, The Conversation, 9 July 2026 The establishment of the Hogan Institute is another sign that Americans refuse to surrender to cynicism. — Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 8 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for cynicism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cynicism
  1. desperation
  2. sadness
  3. despair
  4. sorrow
  5. gloom
  6. hopelessness
  7. pessimism
  8. melancholy
Noun
  • Lama, 28 years old, softspoken and shy, walks quietly among them, equal parts desperation and dread.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 July 2026
  • The heaps of body horror and gritty special effects definitely helped, on top of a breakout performance from Sharlto Copley who conveyed a palpable sense of desperation.
    — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 23 July 2026
Definition of desperation
Noun
  • Out of sadness, but also out of hope and beauty and the belief that what was missing might eventually be found.
    — Thao Thai, PEOPLE, 25 July 2026
  • Corey Ruiz's mother, daughter, partner and siblings joined attorney Ben Crump, expressing their sadness and frustration about his death.
    — Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 24 July 2026
Definition of sadness
Noun
  • The difference is that Christian Name was formed through the prism of grief, despair, and eventually redemption.
    — Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 23 July 2026
  • Keegan had only resigned from Newcastle in January, leaving Tyneside in a state of despair.
    — James Pearce, New York Times, 22 July 2026
Definition of despair
Noun
  • The only other person in the 21st century who might’ve had as uncanny an ability to look beneath the sordidness and sorrow of red carpets and walks of fame to find truth and even poetry might be David Lynch.
    — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 23 July 2026
  • Commenters flooded Aquino’s social media accounts with support, expressing their sorrow at the news of her death.
    — Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 22 July 2026
Definition of sorrow
Noun
  • One way out of the doom and gloom would be for Winnipeg to announce the aforementioned Hellebuyck appeasement.
    — Murat Ates, New York Times, 20 July 2026
  • That is to say, it was preceded by soothsayings of unparalleled gloom, which faded at the first kick of a ball.
    — Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 17 July 2026
Definition of gloom
Noun
  • Surveys indicate that young women are experiencing their highest rates of hopelessness on record.
    — Elizabeth Dray, STAT, 21 July 2026
  • Half reported hopelessness, approximately 48% reported sadness or depression and about 45% reported persistent fear or anxiety, according to IranWire.
    — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 17 July 2026
Definition of hopelessness
Noun
  • Oil hit $100 a barrel and Magnificent 7 stocks shed nearly $800 billion in market value on Thursday, as pessimism over steep AI spending and the Iran war dragged down global markets.
    — Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 23 July 2026
  • The findings from the survey released Wednesday may be compounded by pessimism about the job market, Maese says.
    — Joseph Kim, NPR, 22 July 2026
Definition of pessimism
Noun
  • Beneath all the sensuality and beauty, there’s also a lingering melancholy that feels very familiar to me.
    — Erik Pedersen, Oc Register, 16 June 2026
  • Don Hertzfeldt occasionally comes to mind for a similarly pervasive mood of questioning, philosophical melancholy.
    — Jessica Kiang, Variety, 12 June 2026
Definition of melancholy

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Cite this Entry

“Cynicism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cynicism. Accessed 29 Jul. 2026.

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