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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cynic
In the years after 1991, Russians were trained cynics, having lived through Soviet decline and collapse; forcing belief would be a difficult endeavor, with an unclear upside.
—
Foreign Affairs, 21 Oct. 2025
On the other hand, skeptics and cynics tend to be insistent right now that the clean-up activity is not going to last very long.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Travis Kelce knows what the cynics might think of his relationship with Taylor Swift — two of the most famous people in America just happen to match up perfectly?
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 12 Aug. 2025
Erudite cynics like Karl Rove have written that gerrymandering has been around as long as there have been politicians and districts and that public officials invariably become inured to their own hypocrisy.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 10 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cynic
Foreign Affairs, 21 Oct. 2025
On the other hand, skeptics and cynics tend to be insistent right now that the clean-up activity is not going to last very long.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Travis Kelce knows what the cynics might think of his relationship with Taylor Swift — two of the most famous people in America just happen to match up perfectly?
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 12 Aug. 2025
Erudite cynics like Karl Rove have written that gerrymandering has been around as long as there have been politicians and districts and that public officials invariably become inured to their own hypocrisy.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 10 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cynic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cynic
Noun
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The Grinch Based on the iconic Dr. Seuss’s story, The Grinch follows the grouchy, green misanthrope who lives just outside Whoville and despises the town’s joyful holiday celebrations.—
Lauryn Higgins,
Parents,
22 Dec. 2025
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Gregg is identified in the press notes as a misanthrope, but the jury’s still out on that predetermined character trait.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
13 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The files are not findings of guilt, and some critics have raised concerns about releasing confidential and uncorroborated material concerning those who have not been charged with a crime.—
Ethan Varian,
Mercury News,
8 Feb. 2026
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The Free Press covers all meals reviewed by critics.—
Lyndsay C. Green,
Freep.com,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Maybe people listen to them, but the pessimist doesn’t have followers.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
31 Jan. 2026
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The pessimist would say the school can't win.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
14 Jan. 2026
Noun
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That’s true even as long-time believers are still proudly betting on bitcoin, despite of the charts and the naysayers.—
Liz Napolitano,
CNBC,
6 Feb. 2026
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Not even the viral Huda Beauty Lip Contour Stain could convert this naysayer.—
Jacqueline Kilikita,
Refinery29,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Some skeptics may doubt this, and point to how quickly the spirits of the time can change; see the rise and fall of the woke movement from 2020 to 2025.—
Abby McCloskey,
Twin Cities,
5 Feb. 2026
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For data center skeptics who point out massive energy and water demand that threaten to hike utility bills, subsidies just add salt to the wound.—
Marissa Meador,
IndyStar,
3 Feb. 2026
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
“Cynic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cynic. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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