as in ironic
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cynical
This cynical piece of legislation is championed by progressive Democrats who seek to tip the scales in favor of public transit over personal vehicles.
—
Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 11 Mar. 2026
The role demands charisma, vocal chops, and sharp comedic timing, all deployed within one of the most cynical satires in the musical theater canon.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 10 Mar. 2026
Smith added two more penalties after halftime for 18-10 with Italy down a man after hooker Giacomo Nicotera was yellow-carded for a cynical ruck foul.
—ABC News, 7 Mar. 2026
Today’s negative stars could skew you toward a more cynical viewpoint.
—Magi Helena, Dallas Morning News, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cynical
Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 11 Mar. 2026
The role demands charisma, vocal chops, and sharp comedic timing, all deployed within one of the most cynical satires in the musical theater canon.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 10 Mar. 2026
Smith added two more penalties after halftime for 18-10 with Italy down a man after hooker Giacomo Nicotera was yellow-carded for a cynical ruck foul.
—ABC News, 7 Mar. 2026
Today’s negative stars could skew you toward a more cynical viewpoint.
—Magi Helena, Dallas Morning News, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cynical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cynical
Adjective
-
In an ironic tailwind for the time being, the swings in the stock market are actually a boon for Goldman’s trading desk, which pulls in fees by offering clients complex options and swaps in order to hedge their risks.—
Morgan Chittum,
CNBC,
15 Mar. 2026
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Scott plays to his strengths as a performer with an ironic demeanor well-versed in deadpan humor.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Variety,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
In her response, Stanton was livid and sarcastic.—
Moira Donegan,
New Yorker,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Adebayo said with a sarcastic smile.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Many traders appear to be pessimistic about a sustained crypto advance.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
9 Mar. 2026
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Americans feel pessimistic about consumer spending when gasoline prices are rising.—
Amy Myers Jaffe,
The Conversation,
9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Their advocacy reflects a growing consensus that social media’s negative effects on kids’ mental health and social lives outweigh the benefits.—
Ramesh Ponnuru,
Washington Post,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Average negative evaluation stood at 67 percent.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The misanthropic music matched the bleak unreality of the antisocial pandemic world.—
Kieran Press-Reynolds,
Pitchfork,
26 Feb. 2026
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By the end of the year, Alfred Tennyson, lately miserable, misanthropic, semi-broke, and semi-feral, had been made the Poet Laureate of England.—
Kathryn Schulz,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
But some Cuban-American senators seemed a bit more skeptical in their comments on the diplomatic talks between the United States and Cuba.—
Alexandra Glorioso,
Miami Herald,
13 Mar. 2026
-
American militia sought revenge for these raids, skeptical of Christian Indians’ claims of neutrality as the war ground on.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Mar. 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
“Cynical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cynical. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
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