Synonyms of cynics

cynics

noun

plural of cynic

as in critics

a person who distrusts other people and believes that everything is done for selfish reasons

a cynic who believes that nobody does a good deed without expecting something in return

Synonyms & Similar Words

• critics
• naysayers
• pessimists
• misanthropes
• skeptics
• doubters
• detractors
• misogynists
• negativists
• scoffers
• defeatists
• misandrists
• malcontents
• quitters
• deriders
• belittlers

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• optimists
• positivists
• idealists
• Pollyannas
• sentimentalists

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of cynics

That the earnestness the genre requires galls us cynics, who love to hide in our books, away from all those pesky bodies in the first place? — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 13 Aug. 2026

Questions about whose interests Infantino is serving have developed beyond average cynics who tend to suspect this type of thing. — Simon Hughes, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026

Trump’s insistence on lower rates isn’t helping matters, and cynics argue that Warsh doesn’t want to make the president angry. — David Goldman, CNN Money, 30 July 2026

But should cynics in the industry be tapping the brakes a little, to make sure everybody believes Dean is all that, before giving her an official coronation? — Chris Willman, Variety, 17 July 2026

But weddings also bring out the cynics, and there are a lot of people who cannot be swayed by a wedding. — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 16 July 2026

In the afterglow of the evening, even hardened cynics couldn't deny that being admired by millions is no substitute for being loved by one. — Bryan West, USA Today, 7 July 2026

The native New Yorker has won over cynics before, his peers tell Fortune. — Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 3 July 2026

Not everyone is happy about this apparently, as large portions of cynics and haters on social media are apparently ready to say auf wiedersehen to Freddy. — Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 30 June 2026