[cyn.i.cal] adj (1584) 1: captious, peevish
2: having or showing the attitude or temper of a cynic; esp: contemptuously distrustful of human nature and motives "those ~ men who say that democracy cannot be honest and efficient --F. D. Roosevelt" -- cyn.i.cal.ly adv syn cynical, misanthropic, pessimistic mean deeply distrustful. cynical implies having a sneering disbelief in sincerity or integrity "cynical about politicians' motives". misanthropic suggests a rooted distrust and dislike of human beings and their society "a solitary and misanthropic artist". pessimistic implies having a gloomy, distrustful view of life "pessimistic about the future".