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
As the two moved through the scenes like a pair of tragic jesters, delighting the wide-eyed and annoying the cynics.
—
Elise Taylor, Vogue, 16 Jan. 2025
Thus, the Rock Hall is surely more excited at the prospect of inducting current megastars like Beyoncé, Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga than appeasing its cynics.
—Troy Smith, Axios, 14 Jan. 2025
Other cynics tend to follow suit, sitting out elections and social movements more often than non-cynics.
—Jamil Zaki, TIME, 3 Sep. 2024
In the verses, Bradley Cooper and Gaga’s lyrics and vocal lines are mirrored — two world-weary cynics serenading each other.
—Kristen S. Hé, Vulture, 25 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for cynic
Elise Taylor, Vogue, 16 Jan. 2025
Thus, the Rock Hall is surely more excited at the prospect of inducting current megastars like Beyoncé, Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga than appeasing its cynics.
—Troy Smith, Axios, 14 Jan. 2025
Other cynics tend to follow suit, sitting out elections and social movements more often than non-cynics.
—Jamil Zaki, TIME, 3 Sep. 2024
In the verses, Bradley Cooper and Gaga’s lyrics and vocal lines are mirrored — two world-weary cynics serenading each other.
—Kristen S. Hé, Vulture, 25 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for cynic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cynic
Noun
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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
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Among the roster of holidaymakers is Rick, a greasy misanthrope played by Walton Goggins, and his significantly younger girlfriend, Chelsea (Aimee Lou Wood), a fun, flirty babe whose perpetual good mood is at complete odds with her partner.—
Olivia Petter,
Vogue,
4 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Season 7’s sleek, six-episode lineup is drawing some of its best reviews to date, with critics praising the emotional complexity, tonal range, and sharp storytelling.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
10 Apr. 2025
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Professors of cultural studies, or history, or the arts, have long seen themselves as critics of institutions, including the universities that employ them.—
Ian Bogost,
The Atlantic,
30 Mar. 2025
Noun
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This will be used as a proof point by both venture capital optimists and pessimists, as industry sentiment gets increasingly bifurcated.—
Lucinda Shen,
Axios,
27 Mar. 2025
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Optimists climb the career ladder faster and farther than pessimists.—
Bryan Robinson,
Forbes,
7 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Non-Stop Flight has also allowed naysayers to see perhaps for the first time why Bell made mistakes in his life and was raked over the coals for doing so.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Apr. 2025
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Speaking to supporters at Rehoboth Cathedral church in Brooklyn on Sunday, Mr. Adams sought to paint Mr. Williams as a naysayer who has spent more time plotting his way to City Hall than helping to lead it.—
Maya King,
New York Times,
22 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Some skeptics suggested that corporate statements about racial justice were just window dressing.—
Donald T. Tomaskovic-Devey,
The Conversation,
28 Mar. 2025
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What Dolphins critics, skeptics need to focus on in 2025 is the team that is put around him.—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
27 Mar. 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 15 Apr. 2025.
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