as in ironical
having or showing a deep distrust of human beings and their motives
so cynical that he can't understand why anyone would volunteer to help out at a homeless shelter
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cynical
Meanwhile, some responses reflected a more cynical take.
—
Lee Habeeb, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Apr. 2025
Amanda Peet and Olivia Munn also star in the unexpectedly fun series that has a cynical, tongue-in-cheek tone and a slick aesthetic.
—Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 17 Mar. 2025
Val did something special with a typical 1980s cynical rebel/wisecracker role, giving his character a layer of big brother warmth.
—Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2025
On the movie front, Viola Davis is an endangered POTUS in G20, Tom Hardy plays a cynical detective in Havoc, and documentary subjects include the Stranger Things stage production, the Milwaukee Brewers’ 1982 season and the Disney cult classic A Goofy Movie.
—Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cynical
Lee Habeeb, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Apr. 2025
Amanda Peet and Olivia Munn also star in the unexpectedly fun series that has a cynical, tongue-in-cheek tone and a slick aesthetic.
—Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 17 Mar. 2025
Val did something special with a typical 1980s cynical rebel/wisecracker role, giving his character a layer of big brother warmth.
—Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2025
On the movie front, Viola Davis is an endangered POTUS in G20, Tom Hardy plays a cynical detective in Havoc, and documentary subjects include the Stranger Things stage production, the Milwaukee Brewers’ 1982 season and the Disney cult classic A Goofy Movie.
—Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cynical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cynical
Adjective
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The mood is a mix of ironic and sincere in equal measure, with plenty of pastiche and a heavy appreciation for the profundity of cultural detritus.—
Savannah Sobrevilla,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2025
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Despite her difficult childhood, Mavis persevered, through grit, bloody-mindedness, an absence of self-pity, and an ironic sense of humor.—
Margaret Atwood,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Emmy-nominated for the role the first time out, Ramsey is genius in it, the perfect amounts of precocious, sarcastic, and wide-eyedly vulnerable.—
Zing Tsjeng,
Vogue,
11 Apr. 2025
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What about someone who posts a meme that is satirical or a comment that is meant to be sarcastic?—
Peter Suciu,
Forbes.com,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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What causes bear markets? Bear markets tend to happen when investors are feeling particularly pessimistic about the future of the economy.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
7 Apr. 2025
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Even the most Maga-loving people in my world are getting a bit pessimistic.—
David Rae,
Forbes.com,
7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Meanwhile, the negative effects on the economy could be significant, prompting the Fed to lower rates sooner and more sharply.—
Paul Davidson,
USA Today,
17 Apr. 2025
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While Americans have tended to hold negative attitudes about the government’s handling of the environment for decades, the survey found opinions slipped again this year.—
Lauren Irwin,
The Hill,
17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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But, then, genuine misanthropic disdain is part of Verhoeven's tool kit.—
Tom Gliatto,
People.com,
7 Mar. 2025
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To describe Mickey 17 as a sendup, by the way, is to distinguish it from satire, which would require a deeper cynicism or genuine misanthropic disdain.—
Tom Gliatto,
People.com,
7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Buffalo also had an inspiring end to the season two years ago, and that’s what has made fans skeptical that this late-season run means much.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
9 Apr. 2025
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But people remain skeptical, and some commentary isn't helping.—
Susan Tompor,
USA Today,
8 Apr. 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
“Cynical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cynical. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
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