If you describe someone as cynical, you mean they believe that people always act selfishly.
...his cynical view of the world.
Synonyms: sceptical, mocking, ironic, sneering More Synonyms of cynical
cynicallyadverb [ADVERB with verb]
As one former customer said cynically, 'He's probably pocketed the difference!'
2. adjective [usually verb-link ADJECTIVE]
If you are cynicalabout something, you do not believe that it can be successful or that the people involved are honest.
It's hard not to be cynical about reform. [+ about]
It has also made me more cynical about relationships.
Synonyms: unbelieving, sceptical, disillusioned, pessimistic More Synonyms of cynical
cynical in British English
(ˈsɪnɪkəl)
adjective
1.
distrustful or contemptuous of virtue, esp selflessness in others; believing the worst of others, esp that all acts are selfish
2.
sarcastic; mocking
3.
showing contempt for accepted standards of behaviour, esp of honesty or morality
the politician betrayed his promises in a cynical way
Derived forms
cynically (ˈcynically)
adverb
cynicalness (ˈcynicalness)
noun
cynical in American English
(ˈsɪnɪkəl)
adjective
1.
believing that people are motivated in all their actions only by selfishness; denying the sincerity of people's motives and actions, or the value of living
2.
sarcastic, sneering, etc.
3. [C-]
Cynic
SYNONYMY NOTE: cynical implies a contemptuous disbelief in human goodness and sincerity [cynical about recovering a lost watch]; misanthropic suggests a deep-seated hatred or distrust of people in general [a misanthropic hermit]; pessimistic implies an attitude, often habitual, of expecting the worst to happen [pessimistic about one's chances to win]
OPPOSITE: optimistic
Derived forms
cynically (ˈcynically)
adverb
Word origin
< L cynicus, of the Cynics: see cynic
Examples of 'cynical' in a sentence
cynical
The bad news, or the cynical view, is that they have done so only because it is not particularly onerous.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The only benefit of being cynical is that you can surround yourself with other cynical people.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Voters decided it was a cynical ploy.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
There was also a cynical tone to it all.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The hard numbers suggest this is too cynical a view.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
No wonder some people are deeply cynical about who benefits most from many investments.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
They also deny that delaying the pain until after the election is a cynical political ploy.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
There is also no more cynical sport than football.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The cynical view is that golf is in a hole and should stop digging.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
How refreshing to see people not cynical but upbeat.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
It could be seen as a cynical ploy to avoid the move.
The Sun (2015)
The show is cynical but also emotionally subtle.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Others at the time and afterwards took a more cynical view.
The Times Literary Supplement (2011)
He is cynical about the people to whom he speaks.
Christianity Today (2000)
The question of where we should set the bar for accepting the results of these presidential elections is not a cynical one.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
He writes about him in a sarcastic, cynical way.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The fact that the same cannot be said of Britain owes much to our increasingly cynical attitude.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
It's most likely a cynical one.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Have a cynical attitude toward one-time expenses.
Mitchel Zacks AHEAD OF THE MARKET (2003)
The final shot is a cliffhanger, a last cynical attempt to get viewers coming back for more.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
It is part of the game, albeit a cynical one slowing the game to something approaching the funereal.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Certainly, there is something sneaky and cynical about pursuing such a negative campaign online while claiming publicly to be above making low personalised attacks.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
In what appears to be a cynical attempt to avoid that criticism, a proposal has now been drafted to legalise that form of detention.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Romance is not dead - it's just evolving into something more cynical.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Some saw her apology as a cynical attempt to cling on to her job as MP with the party wanting to oust her.
The Sun (2009)
In other languages
cynical
British English: cynical ADJECTIVE
If you describe someone as cynical, you mean they believe that people always act selfishly.
...his cynical view of the world.
American English: cynical
Brazilian Portuguese: cínico
Chinese: 持人皆自私论的
European Spanish: cínico
French: cynique
German: zynisch
Italian: cinico
Japanese: 冷笑的な
Korean: 냉소적인
European Portuguese: cínico
Latin American Spanish: cínico
Chinese translation of 'cynical'
cynical
(ˈsɪnɪkl)
adj
[person, attitude]愤(憤)世嫉俗的 (fèn shì jí sú de)
to be cynical about sth不信任某事 (bù xìnrèn mǒushì)
1 (adjective)
Definition
sarcastic or sneering
He has a very cynical view of the world.
Synonyms
sceptical
mocking
She gave a mocking smile.
ironic
At the most solemn moments he would make an ironic remark.
sneering
pessimistic
scoffing
contemptuous
She gave a contemptuous little laugh and walked away.
sarcastic
She poked fun at people's shortcomings with sarcastic remarks.
sardonic
a sardonic sense of humour
scornful
a scornful smile
distrustful
derisive
He gave a short, derisive laugh.
misanthropic
mordacious
misanthropical
Opposites
trusting
,
green
,
optimistic
,
hopeful
,
unsuspecting
,
gullible
,
credulous
,
trustful
,
unsceptical
2 (adjective)
Definition
believing that people always act selfishly
My experiences have made me cynical about politics.
Synonyms
unbelieving
He looked at me with unbelieving eyes.
sceptical
scientists who are sceptical about global warming
disillusioned
pessimistic
his excessively pessimistic view of life
disbelieving
`Is that so?' he asked, in a disbelieving tone.
mistrustful
Fletcher had become taciturn and mistrustful of the media.
Opposites
optimistic
,
hopeful
Additional synonyms
in the sense of contemptuous
Definition
showing or feeling strong dislike or disrespect
She gave a contemptuous little laugh and walked away.