as in critically
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Recent Examples of cynically
The barely disguised soullessness with which AI leaders operate, perhaps, has provided a window for entrepreneurs to peddle a more humane message, in good faith or not in good faith, naively or cynically.
—
Frank Landymore, Futurism, 22 Jan. 2026
Fairly or unfairly, genuinely or cynically, questions about Mamdani and Israel—and Palestine, and Jews, and faith, and war, and peace—appear likely to continue.
—Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 21 Jan. 2026
The challenge for Washington lies in avoiding the false choice between regime change by force, with unforeseen consequences, and spectacular but cynically symbolic action.
—Ali Vaez, Time, 15 Jan. 2026
And it’s only gotten harder, because in America our current government has quite purposefully and cynically co-opted a lot of conspiratorial thinking to muddy the waters to further their own cultural and political project.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 13 Jan. 2026
Fighting is satisfying, and big threats, like bosses, are learnable without being predictable, yet tough to fight without ever feeling cynically designed.
—Matt Gardner, Forbes.com, 31 Dec. 2025
Young filed counterclaims against Aetna, claiming the insurer ‘cynically and unscientifically’ denied payments, which may have resulted in people’s deaths.
—Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 6 Nov. 2025
Some will move cynically, making the calculation that accommodation with the Palestinian population is preferable to being a permanent international pariah.
—Jack Sheehan
september 4, Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2025
These declarations cynically cloak themselves behind ostensible concerns about the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons.
—Amira El-Fekki, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Aug. 2025
Frank Landymore, Futurism, 22 Jan. 2026
Fairly or unfairly, genuinely or cynically, questions about Mamdani and Israel—and Palestine, and Jews, and faith, and war, and peace—appear likely to continue.
—Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 21 Jan. 2026
The challenge for Washington lies in avoiding the false choice between regime change by force, with unforeseen consequences, and spectacular but cynically symbolic action.
—Ali Vaez, Time, 15 Jan. 2026
And it’s only gotten harder, because in America our current government has quite purposefully and cynically co-opted a lot of conspiratorial thinking to muddy the waters to further their own cultural and political project.
—Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 13 Jan. 2026
Fighting is satisfying, and big threats, like bosses, are learnable without being predictable, yet tough to fight without ever feeling cynically designed.
—Matt Gardner, Forbes.com, 31 Dec. 2025
Young filed counterclaims against Aetna, claiming the insurer ‘cynically and unscientifically’ denied payments, which may have resulted in people’s deaths.
—Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 6 Nov. 2025
Some will move cynically, making the calculation that accommodation with the Palestinian population is preferable to being a permanent international pariah.
—Jack Sheehan
september 4, Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2025
These declarations cynically cloak themselves behind ostensible concerns about the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons.
—Amira El-Fekki, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cynically
Adverb
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And critically, this regrowth isn’t directed by the brain sending detailed instructions.—
Amy Eliza Wong,
Fortune,
9 Feb. 2026
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An argument inside a North Philadelphia bar after Super Bowl LX led to a shooting that left a 29-year-old man critically wounded, according to police.—
Tom Dougherty,
CBS News,
9 Feb. 2026
Adverb
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Driving through deep water can also negatively affect a vehicle's mechanical and electrical systems.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
8 Feb. 2026
-
His mother had just been detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents the previous day, a fact that may have negatively impacted Kevin’s health, Mendoza recalls one of the doctors saying.—
Susana Erazo,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
Trump wrote, referring disparagingly to its defense capabilities under Denmark.—
Yuliya Talmazan,
NBC news,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Fatsis quotes a Britannica editor comparing Wikipedia, disparagingly, to a public rest room—a comparison that’s not entirely wrong.—
Louis Menand,
New Yorker,
22 Dec. 2025
Adverb
-
Both leaders are underwater with respondents, with Trump viewed unfavorably by 8 percent more respondents than those who viewed him favorably and Biden viewed unfavorably by 10 percent more respondents than those who viewed him favorably.—
Max Rego,
The Hill,
3 Feb. 2026
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Of the respondents, 25% view unions unfavorably with another 27% neutral and 1% having never heard of unions.—
Olivia Evans,
Louisville Courier Journal,
28 Jan. 2026
Adverb
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Rosenbury notes disapprovingly that there was a petition to rescind Kirk’s invitation.—
Louis Menand,
New Yorker,
26 Sep. 2025
Adverb
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The New York of the nineteen-eighties was, warily, a city in transition.—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
12 Jan. 2026
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So Tehran is likely eyeing these developments very warily.—
Benjamin Weinthal,
FOXNews.com,
3 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
San Diego faces economic challenges in the coming year, but one expert is guardedly optimistic about efforts to address affordability and the potential benefits of artificial intelligence.—
Phillip Molnar,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Feb. 2026
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Even so, many in Venezuela seem guardedly optimistic.—
The Atlantic,
The Atlantic,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cynically.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cynically. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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