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
The corruption, too, has come to be normalized, along with the public cynicism that accompanies it.
—
Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 26 May 2026
The plot seems simple, but every glare and sigh tells a whole story about modernization, capitulation, cynicism and violence.
—Joshua Rothkopf, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2026
Instead, the city’s escalating campaign of stops and arrests triggered the cascade of cynicism and distrust that continues to bedevil New Yorkers’ connection to their government.
—Elizabeth Glazer, The Atlantic, 19 May 2026
In truth, a certain amount of cynicism has taken hold, as the tech giants get bigger and bigger and dominate market share and now, upfront week as well.
—Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for cynicism
Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 26 May 2026
The plot seems simple, but every glare and sigh tells a whole story about modernization, capitulation, cynicism and violence.
—Joshua Rothkopf, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2026
Instead, the city’s escalating campaign of stops and arrests triggered the cascade of cynicism and distrust that continues to bedevil New Yorkers’ connection to their government.
—Elizabeth Glazer, The Atlantic, 19 May 2026
In truth, a certain amount of cynicism has taken hold, as the tech giants get bigger and bigger and dominate market share and now, upfront week as well.
—Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for cynicism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cynicism
Noun
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For me, the art was a distraction, an effort to generate excitement and sell extra tickets — something that the garden, which is attracting large numbers of visitors lately, no longer needs to do with such desperation.—
Ray Mark Rinaldi,
Denver Post,
7 June 2026
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This is a strategy born not of manly strength, but of submissive desperation.—
Helen Lewis,
The Atlantic,
5 June 2026
Noun
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The news of his death was met with shock and sadness from fans, players and fellow broadcasters around the NBA.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
7 June 2026
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But sadness also, along with regret, surrounding Arguijo-Mejia.—
Eric Adler,
Kansas City Star,
6 June 2026
Noun
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Those raw emotions and moments of shared experience, which can be so hard to find in a fractured society, will be replicated all over the world in the coming weeks, bring families, communities and entire nations together, uniting them in hope, joy and, of course, despair.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
11 June 2026
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On the other side of the couch, Kyle sits staring at them both, alternating between anger and grief, and although Andy didn’t spend much time trying to peel back the layers of Kyle’s despair, his aimlessness is as much at the heart of this season as anything Amanda and West did.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
10 June 2026
Noun
-
Amidst the sorrow of the past eight years, Ronnie and Lydia vowed to never stop searching for their granddaughter.—
James C Ramos,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 May 2026
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Officials have shared their sorrow and paid tribute to the victims of the accident.—
Adam England,
PEOPLE,
26 May 2026
Noun
-
Zesty mandarin and warm amber break through the June gloom, offering a cozy yet uplifting effect underlined by fragrant cardamom.—
Ariel Wodarcyk,
InStyle,
4 June 2026
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But beyond the doom and gloom, China’s soccer future may no longer depend solely on top-down ambition.—
Reagan Yip,
CNN Money,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
But despite the colorful surroundings, there’s a pervasive hopelessness in this off-kilter world that looks a lot like our own.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
20 May 2026
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Advertisement For decades, the dominant story about Watts was one of pathology and hopelessness.—
Terry McDonell,
Time,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In fact, the views of the five England fans who spoke to The Athletic are dominated by clear-eyed realism and learned pessimism.—
Jack Pitt-Brooke,
New York Times,
10 June 2026
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So much of the pessimism and the despair that fueled the piece has even greater purchase now.—
Emily Watlington,
ARTnews.com,
10 June 2026
Noun
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Absent the lush melancholy of classic synth-pop, what Hervé and Amato had in common with their forbears was a spirit of innovation rooted in profound laziness.—
Walden Green,
Pitchfork,
23 May 2026
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While the actors are committed, poignant and warm, their upbeat tone doesn’t always blend well with the melancholy of the picture.—
Tomris Laffly,
Variety,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cynicism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cynicism. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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