cynic

noun

cyn·ic ˈsi-nik How to pronounce cynic (audio)

: a faultfinding captious critic

especially : one who believes that human conduct is motivated wholly by self-interest

Of course, there will always be cynics when companies make good-faith apologies and seek to follow through.

Andrew Ross Sorkin

capitalized : an adherent of an ancient Greek school of philosophers who held the view that virtue is the only good and that its essence lies in self-control and independence

cynic adjective

Did you know?

The ancient Greece school of philosophers known as Cynics was founded by Antisthenes, a contemporary of Plato. Antisthenes is said to have taught at a gymnasium outside Athens called the Kynosarges, from which the name of the school, kynikoi, literally, “doglike ones,” may be derived. On the other hand, the name is most closely associated with the most famous Cynic philosopher, Diogenes of Sinope. Diogenes rejected social conventions and declared that whatever was natural and easy could not be indecent and therefore can and should be done in public. This shamelessness earned him the Greek epithet ho kyōn, “the dog.” In English, however, cynic and cynical have more to do with distrust of motives than shamelessness.

Example Sentences

He's too much of a cynic to see the benefits of marriage. A cynic might think that the governor visited the hospital just to gain votes. Reporters who cover politics often become cynics.

Recent Examples on the Web Or as a cynic might put it: ticket-buying movie-goers.

Philip Ellis, Men's Health, 16 Aug. 2022 Full-throated bulls may be hard to come by right now, but not everyone is a total cynic.

Julia Horowitz, CNN, 2 Aug. 2022 But even a cynic must admit that such visits are a lifeline to Ukraine, and a poke in the eye to a Russian leader who wanted to crush its sovereignty.

Stephen Collinson, CNN, 2 May 2022 Instead, work to become a true cynic, in its original sense.

Arthur C. Brooks, The Atlantic, 20 Jan. 2022 Only a cynic would think that the reason for this move may owe just a little to PR — and to the fact that these securities have become very hard to trade.

Andrew Stuttaford, National Review, 4 Mar. 2022 What kind of person would want to work at an online dating detective agency: a hopeless romantic, or a consummate cynic?

Keely Weiss, Harper's BAZAAR, 6 Jan. 2022 After all, the actress played the sarcastic cynic, Stevie Budd, of Rosebud Motel for six seasons on Schitt's Creek.

Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 21 Dec. 2021 The whole concept is something a cynic might dismiss: What could be feminist about marine mammals?

Wsj Books Staff, WSJ, 8 Dec. 2021 See More

单词	cynic
释义	cynic noun cyn·ic ˈsi-nik 1 : a faultfinding captious critic especially : one who believes that human conduct is motivated wholly by self-interest Of course, there will always be cynics when companies make good-faith apologies and seek to follow through. Andrew Ross Sorkin 2 capitalized : an adherent of an ancient Greek school of philosophers who held the view that virtue is the only good and that its essence lies in self-control and independence cynic adjective Did you know? The ancient Greece school of philosophers known as Cynics was founded by Antisthenes, a contemporary of Plato. Antisthenes is said to have taught at a gymnasium outside Athens called the Kynosarges, from which the name of the school, kynikoi, literally, “doglike ones,” may be derived. On the other hand, the name is most closely associated with the most famous Cynic philosopher, Diogenes of Sinope. Diogenes rejected social conventions and declared that whatever was natural and easy could not be indecent and therefore can and should be done in public. This shamelessness earned him the Greek epithet ho kyōn, “the dog.” In English, however, cynic and cynical have more to do with distrust of motives than shamelessness. Synonyms misanthrope naysayer pessimist See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences He's too much of a cynic to see the benefits of marriage. A cynic might think that the governor visited the hospital just to gain votes. Reporters who cover politics often become cynics. Recent Examples on the Web Or as a cynic might put it: ticket-buying movie-goers. Philip Ellis, Men's Health, 16 Aug. 2022 Full-throated bulls may be hard to come by right now, but not everyone is a total cynic. Julia Horowitz, CNN, 2 Aug. 2022 But even a cynic must admit that such visits are a lifeline to Ukraine, and a poke in the eye to a Russian leader who wanted to crush its sovereignty. Stephen Collinson, CNN, 2 May 2022 Instead, work to become a true cynic, in its original sense. Arthur C. Brooks, The Atlantic, 20 Jan. 2022 Only a cynic would think that the reason for this move may owe just a little to PR — and to the fact that these securities have become very hard to trade. Andrew Stuttaford, National Review, 4 Mar. 2022 What kind of person would want to work at an online dating detective agency: a hopeless romantic, or a consummate cynic? Keely Weiss, Harper's BAZAAR, 6 Jan. 2022 After all, the actress played the sarcastic cynic, Stevie Budd, of Rosebud Motel for six seasons on Schitt's Creek. Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 21 Dec. 2021 The whole concept is something a cynic might dismiss: What could be feminist about marine mammals? Wsj Books Staff, WSJ, 8 Dec. 2021 See More Word History Etymology Middle French or Latin, Middle French cynique, from Latin cynicus, from Greek kynikos, literally, like a dog, from kyn-, kyōn dog — more at hound First Known Use 1542, in the meaning defined at sense 2 cynic noun as in misanthrope a person who distrusts other people and believes that everything is done for selfish reasons a cynic who believes that nobody does a good deed without expecting something in return Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance misanthrope pessimist naysayer critic skeptic doubter misogynist scoffer detractor negativist defeatist misandrist derider quitter malcontent belittler Antonyms & Near Antonyms optimist idealist positivist sentimentalist Pollyanna
随便看	geophysicists geophysics geophysicses geophyte geophytes geophyticcer geophyticcest geophyticer geophyticest Geoplana geopolar geopolitical geopolitically geopolitician geopoliticians geopolitics geopoliticses Geopolitik geopolitiker geoponic geoponical geoponics geopositive geopotential geopressured

cynic

noun

Did you know?

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

noun