as in misanthrope
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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cynic
Those cynics contend the front office might as well spend that money on other position groups.
—
Tim Graham, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025
In fact, cynics do worse on cognitive tests and have a harder time spotting liars than non-cynics.
—Jamil Zaki, TIME, 3 Sep. 2024
And yes, there are plenty of options for V-Day cynics, including He's Just Not That Into You and a particularly bloody '80s slasher flick.
—Glamour, 7 Feb. 2025
All one needs is to read the headlines today, 45 years down the road, to see that sometimes cynics have a point.
—George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 30 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for cynic
Tim Graham, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025
In fact, cynics do worse on cognitive tests and have a harder time spotting liars than non-cynics.
—Jamil Zaki, TIME, 3 Sep. 2024
And yes, there are plenty of options for V-Day cynics, including He's Just Not That Into You and a particularly bloody '80s slasher flick.
—Glamour, 7 Feb. 2025
All one needs is to read the headlines today, 45 years down the road, to see that sometimes cynics have a point.
—George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 30 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for cynic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cynic
Noun
-
Edward is a misanthrope and a scold (The Imitation Game).—
Graham Hillard,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
21 Feb. 2025
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In the face of international law enforcement pressure, dozens of prosecutions, and worldwide disrepute, the network of young sadists, misanthropes, child predators, and extortionists known as Com and 764 has not shrunk away into obscurity.—
Ali Winston,
WIRED,
12 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Nochlin, who died in 2017, was a pioneering feminist art critic.—
Rebecca Mead,
New Yorker,
9 June 2025
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The play marked Clooney’s Broadway debut and was highly praised by critics.—
Renan Botelho,
Footwear News,
8 June 2025
Noun
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But that doesn’t stop a chorus of pessimists from emerging amid periods of market volatility.—
Luke Andriuk,
Forbes.com,
14 May 2025
-
In contrast, pessimists often miss opportunities by holding cash.—
Michael Khouw,
CNBC,
14 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Fortunately, the little girl with the big dream, has always relied on her own instincts, and had the strength and fortitude to dismiss the naysayers.—
Pam Windsor,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2025
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Once again, the naysayers began yapping, with people wondering if Blue, an 11-year-old first-time performer, would grow up to live up to her iconic mother, who, at that point, had decades of experience under her belt.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
People.com,
9 May 2025
Noun
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Should Kennedy appoint like-minded vaccine skeptics to the ACIP committee, that could undermine the public’s trust in vaccines even further.—
Joshua P. Cohen,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
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Pride & prejudice: Missouri’s sweeping stadium-funding plan has its fair share of skeptics, including some Republicans outraged over the Kansas City Royals’ Pride month post.—
Matthew Kelly,
Kansas City Star,
4 June 2025
Video
The History of 'Cynic'
How an ancient philosophical movement devoted to the pursuit of virtue came to describe eye-rolling criticism.
Cite this Entry
“Cynic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cynic. Accessed 14 Jun. 2025.
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