cynicism
noun
cyn·i·cism
ˈsi-nə-ˌsi-zəm 
1
capitalized
: the doctrine of the Cynics (see cynic sense 2)
2
: cynical attitude or quality
Nothing could change her cynicism about politics.
also
: a cynical comment or act
pungent cynicisms
Examples of cynicism in a Sentence
Nothing could change her cynicism about politics.
Recent Examples on the Web
Director Herbert Ross subverted Potter’s cynicism by emphasizing the life force and sheer talent of the American showbiz tradition and then connected it to visionary creativity as diverse as Edward Hopper and Bertolt Brecht.
—
Armond White, National Review, 29 Nov. 2024
Many Democrats have abandoned hope in favor of cynicism: deciding that most of the voting public are selfish, bigoted enemies of democracy.
—Jamil Zaki, TIME, 23 Nov. 2024
In a society that often values cynicism, Mr. Rogers’ consistent compassion felt revolutionary.
—Jim McDermott, Orlando Sentinel, 10 Nov. 2024
Read: The slop candidate Trump came of age as a public figure in the 1980s, long before irony was alleged to have died—a time, on the contrary, when cynicism had become cultural currency.
—Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 23 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for cynicism 
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Armond White, National Review, 29 Nov. 2024
Many Democrats have abandoned hope in favor of cynicism: deciding that most of the voting public are selfish, bigoted enemies of democracy.
—Jamil Zaki, TIME, 23 Nov. 2024
In a society that often values cynicism, Mr. Rogers’ consistent compassion felt revolutionary.
—Jim McDermott, Orlando Sentinel, 10 Nov. 2024
Read: The slop candidate Trump came of age as a public figure in the 1980s, long before irony was alleged to have died—a time, on the contrary, when cynicism had become cultural currency.
—Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 23 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for cynicism
Dictionary Entries Near cynicism
Cite this Entry
“Cynicism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cynicism. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
cynicism
noun
cyn·i·cism
ˈsin-ə-ˌsiz-əm
: a cynical attitude or quality
also
: an expression of cynical quality
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