cynic

noun

cyn·​ic ˈsi-nik 

1

: a faultfinding captious critic

especially : one who believes that human conduct is motivated wholly by self-interest

Of course, there will always be cynics when companies make good-faith apologies and seek to follow through.

—Andrew Ross Sorkin

2

capitalized : an adherent of an ancient Greek school of philosophers who held the view that virtue is the only good and that its essence lies in self-control and independence

cynic adjective

Did you know?

The ancient Greece school of philosophers known as Cynics was founded by Antisthenes, a contemporary of Plato. Antisthenes is said to have taught at a gymnasium outside Athens called the Kynosarges, from which the name of the school, kynikoi, literally, “doglike ones,” may be derived. On the other hand, the name is most closely associated with the most famous Cynic philosopher, Diogenes of Sinope. Diogenes rejected social conventions and declared that whatever was natural and easy could not be indecent and therefore can and should be done in public. This shamelessness earned him the Greek epithet ho kyōn, “the dog.” In English, however, cynic and cynical have more to do with distrust of motives than shamelessness.

Synonyms

• misanthrope
• naysayer
• pessimist

Examples of cynic in a Sentence

He's too much of a cynic to see the benefits of marriage.

A cynic might think that the governor visited the hospital just to gain votes.

Reporters who cover politics often become cynics.

Recent Examples on the Web

Studies suggest cynics are often more depressed, heavier drinkers and lower earners than noncynics. —Alyssa Bereznak, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2024

The research showed that 70% believed cynics would outperform non-cynics on cognitive tasks. —Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024

This stereotype reveals what most people believe: that cynics are smarter than non-cynics. —Jamil Zaki, TIME, 3 Sep. 2024

Whether one finds this uplifting or eye-rolling is a matter of taste, and cynics will likely find Flanagan’s latest far too saccharine for theirs. —Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 13 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle French or Latin, Middle French cynique, from Latin cynicus, from Greek kynikos, literally, like a dog, from kyn-, kyōn dog — more at hound

First Known Use

1533, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Video

The History of 'Cynic'

How an ancient philosophical movement devoted to the pursuit of virtue came to describe eye-rolling criticism.

Kids Definition

cynic

noun

cyn·​ic ˈsin-ik 

: a person who distrusts people

especially : one who believes that people act only in self-interest

Etymology

from early French cynique or Latin cynicus, both meaning "cynic," from Greek kynikos, literally, "like a dog"

Word Origin

In ancient Greece, a certain philosopher taught that virtue was the most important goal in life. He and his pupils openly scorned wealth and pleasure. Such a philosopher was called kynikos, which literally means "like a dog." One likely reason for this name is that the group's leader taught at a school with a name that began with the same letters as in the Greek word for "dog." It is also likely that many Greeks who used kynikos for these philosophers were offended by their rudeness. Cynic has been used in English since the 16th century for such philosophers. Once cynic had appeared in English, it wasn't long before it was applied to any faultfinding critic. Later, it was used chiefly of one who doubts the sincerity of all human motives except selfishness.