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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cynical
This 2021 fantasy-comedy follows Din (Jimmy Wong), a struggling student who accidentally discovers a cynical wish dragon (Cho).
—
Emily Blackwood, People.com, 17 Aug. 2025
Only a cynical foul prevented him from being played in on goal.
—Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2025
Over the course of six seasons and two movies, the show’s thrillingly cynical core got smothered by cloying commercialism—a fixation on both wide-eyed romance and flamboyant luxury.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 15 Aug. 2025
Home games were a communally happy experience instead of one in which 40,000 people were conditioned to expect the most cynical outcome possible.
—Jerry Beach, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cynical
Emily Blackwood, People.com, 17 Aug. 2025
Only a cynical foul prevented him from being played in on goal.
—Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2025
Over the course of six seasons and two movies, the show’s thrillingly cynical core got smothered by cloying commercialism—a fixation on both wide-eyed romance and flamboyant luxury.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 15 Aug. 2025
Home games were a communally happy experience instead of one in which 40,000 people were conditioned to expect the most cynical outcome possible.
—Jerry Beach, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cynical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cynical
Adjective
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Frustration for managers: Gen Z’s tendency to project ironic detachment from their jobs makes management especially difficult.—
Ruth Oh Reitmeier,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
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Bhattacharya’s call for a full review of NIH research and training is predicated on an impossible, and ironic, standard.—
Katherine J. Wu,
The Atlantic,
19 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Althoff’s sarcastic deadpan humor, beguiling personality and awkward line of questioning led her to interviews with Drake, Tyga, Lil Yachty, Rubi Rose, Nick Cannon and Mark Cuban.—
Michael Saponara,
Billboard,
22 Aug. 2025
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What started as a sweet coming-of-age story between Joey Potter (Katie Holmes) and her childhood best friend, Dawson Leery (James Van Der Beek), took a turn when Pacey Witter (Joshua Jackson), Dawson's sarcastic best friend, unexpectedly emerged as a real contender for Joey's heart.—
Allison DeGrushe Published,
EW.com,
20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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There are plenty of reasons to be pessimistic about electric vehicle adoption here in the US.—
Jonathan M. Gitlin,
ArsTechnica,
21 Aug. 2025
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But Reason Foundation’s Feigenbaum is more pessimistic.—
Tina Li,
Sacbee.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Crone’s process isn’t just about helping the individual think positively but eliminating the negative thinking that restricts potential.—
Wyles Daniel,
USA Today,
28 Aug. 2025
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Italy The report, combined with data from BCD Travel and American Express Global Business Travel, as reported by Skift Friday, show that the negative travel sentiment rippling through Canada, Western Europe and some parts of Asia isn’t affecting those with corporate interests in the United States.—
Monica Pitrelli,
CNBC,
27 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The songs molded a claustrophobic, atmospheric universe out of blast beats, buzz-saw guitars and strangled shrieking, with misanthropic lyrics that explored bleakness, despair, paganism and coldness (both metaphorical and literal).—
Elisabeth Vincentelli,
New York Times,
22 Mar. 2025
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Wood starred as hopeless romantic Chelsea, who was on vacation with her older, misanthropic boyfriend Rick (Walton Goggins).—
EW.com,
EW.com,
28 May 2025
Adjective
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Obama Reacts to Gavin Newsom's California Redistricting Play James Talarico's Chances of Beating Colin Allred in Texas Primary—Poll Even voters who once backed Joe Biden and flipped to Trump in 2024 remain skeptical.—
Jesus Mesa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Aug. 2025
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Marilyn Gooch was already skeptical about one of her newest neighbors, xAI’s supercomputing facility, when her cousin walked across the street in June with a blue mailer from the Greater Memphis Chamber of Commerce.—
Wendi C. Thomas,
ProPublica,
22 Aug. 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 3 Sep. 2025.
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