as in desperation
cynical beliefs; beliefs that people are generally selfish and dishonest
Nothing could change her cynicism about politics.
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of cynicism
Not only is an entire cinematic universe dependent on the success of this film, but Gunn must also cut through the world’s cynicism and deliver a take on the character whose cinematic depiction, for many audiences, hasn’t resonated since 1978.
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Richard Newby, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Dec. 2024
Even at the end, there’s room for beauty and cynicism both.
—Tim Grierson, Los Angeles Times, 18 Dec. 2024
The peculiar instance of a president pardoning his son won't heal our national political wounds and might actively stoke the cynicism that's been in overdrive lately.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 2 Dec. 2024
Naturally, the media hyped the event as Bart versus Bill, a showdown between one show’s wholesome family values and the other’s brash, boorish cynicism — the aspirational ’80s facing off against the anarchic ’90s.
—Darryn King, Vulture, 17 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for cynicism 
Richard Newby, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Dec. 2024
Even at the end, there’s room for beauty and cynicism both.
—Tim Grierson, Los Angeles Times, 18 Dec. 2024
The peculiar instance of a president pardoning his son won't heal our national political wounds and might actively stoke the cynicism that's been in overdrive lately.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 2 Dec. 2024
Naturally, the media hyped the event as Bart versus Bill, a showdown between one show’s wholesome family values and the other’s brash, boorish cynicism — the aspirational ’80s facing off against the anarchic ’90s.
—Darryn King, Vulture, 17 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for cynicism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cynicism
Noun
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An air of desperation hung over a handful of Premier League clubs last summer.Philip Buckingham, The Athletic, 14 Jan. 2025
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His words resonate deeply in a region where many, driven by desperation for a better life, risk their lives swimming or sailing across the perilous 25-mile Strait of Gibraltar to Spain—a journey that all too often ends in tragedy.Rooksana Hossenally, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Antonio scored an early opener and Jarrod Bowen was denied from close range shortly after, with Moyes falling to the ground in despair.Roshane Thomas, The Athletic, 1 Jan. 2025
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Carter later credited that sacrifice for pulling him from his despair and eventually leading him to found The Carter Presidential Center -- a multifaceted nonprofit aimed at promoting human rights, with missions as varied as election monitoring and eradicating parasitic diseases.Shannon K. Kingston, ABC News, 31 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The principal of Dos Pueblos High School, Bill Woodard, expressed sorrow about the beloved teacher’s death.Matt Hamilton, Los Angeles Times, 4 Jan. 2025
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Sadly, the reunion would leave the Bernstein family with lasting wounds and sorrow.Doc Louallen, ABC News, 3 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Mercury’s entrance to Capricorn can foster doom and gloom.USA TODAY, USA TODAY, 8 Jan. 2025
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Despite the gloom, studio facilities are pushing ahead with expansion plans.Gene Maddaus, Variety, 3 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Broader investor pessimism has bled into the market, as traders began losing faith in Big Tech stocks that have driven the majority of the market’s gains over the past two years.Pia Singh, CNBC, 13 Jan. 2025
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Analysts point to the civil conflict, which killed hundreds of thousands of people and forced nearly 8 million from their homes, for what has become a culture of pessimism and distrust.Mie Hoejris Dahl, The Christian Science Monitor, 6 Jan. 2025
Noun
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When the Padres signed Bogaerts, a major league scout with a neutral team said several baseball folks with the Red Sox felt a sense of melancholy.Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Jan. 2025
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There’s action and scares, but also human melancholy and a deep mystery.Aaron Couch, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near cynicism
Cite this Entry
“Cynicism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cynicism. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
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