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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of cynical
Writers strove to position themselves as more cynical than the idiot box that knew itself to be an idiot box.
—
Lauren Michele Jackson, The New Yorker, 27 Feb. 2025
The Clinton Campaign and the Obama Administration are presenting the American people a cynical political charade regarding Russia and Vladimir Putin, with most of the media playing the Greek Chorus.
—Capital Flows, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
Others referenced the cynical exploitation of supporters.
—Liam Twomey, The Athletic, 25 Feb. 2025
It’s packed with tough love, cathartic activities, and positive affirmations that won’t leave cynical folks rolling their eyes.
—Kristin Canning, SELF, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cynical
Lauren Michele Jackson, The New Yorker, 27 Feb. 2025
The Clinton Campaign and the Obama Administration are presenting the American people a cynical political charade regarding Russia and Vladimir Putin, with most of the media playing the Greek Chorus.
—Capital Flows, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
Others referenced the cynical exploitation of supporters.
—Liam Twomey, The Athletic, 25 Feb. 2025
It’s packed with tough love, cathartic activities, and positive affirmations that won’t leave cynical folks rolling their eyes.
—Kristin Canning, SELF, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cynical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cynical
Adjective
-
Occasionally, there are moments that verge on ironic humor.—
Nina Metz,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Mar. 2025
-
The concentration of risk at the federal level has some ironic results.—
Roger Valdez,
Forbes,
4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
While Lucie is warm, vivacious, and a ray of light that shines off the page, Aiden is a grumpy, reluctant romantic who hides behind sarcastic quips.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
EW.com,
27 Feb. 2025
-
For instance, a sarcastic comment brushed off as a joke, or unspoken expectations that fuel resentment.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes,
24 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
The pessimistic analysis has not paid nearly enough attention to the weak underpinnings of Russian military power.—
Phillips Payson O’Brien,
The Atlantic,
7 Mar. 2025
-
More uncertainty correlates with slower industrial production growth and more pessimistic consumer outlooks on the future.—
Christian Weller,
Forbes,
1 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
So the reality is, investors should expect negative economic events like recessions to occur periodically throughout their lifetimes, and use that knowledge to plan ahead.—
Kristin McKenna,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
-
Consumers deciding to ‘sit it out and wait’ At first glance, January’s spending slump, the first negative monthly reading in nearly two years, appears to substantiate an increasingly unsettling picture of the economic outlook.—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN,
28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Very quickly the ironic, misanthropic tone is established, as is the chemistry among the cast.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA TODAY,
12 Nov. 2024
-
In turn, Judaism boils down not to an ongoing conversation of faith and morals but one of tired, misanthropic tropes.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
1 Oct. 2024
Adjective
-
Be skeptical of unsolicited contact: Remember that the IRS will never contact you via phone, email, text or social media to demand immediate payment or request personal information.—
Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report,
Fox News,
6 Mar. 2025
-
Sophisticated buyers may naturally be more skeptical.—
Ryan Hutchins,
Forbes,
6 Mar. 2025
Articles Related to cynical
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 13 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share