CYNICAL


Meaning of CYNICAL in English

transcription, транскрипция: [ ˈsi-ni-kəl ]

adjective

Date: 1542

1. : captious , peevish

2. : having or showing the attitude or temper of a cynic: as

a. : contemptuously distrustful of human nature and motives

those cynical men who say that democracy cannot be honest and efficient — F. D. Roosevelt

b. : based on or reflecting a belief that human conduct is motivated primarily by self-interest

a cynical ploy to cheat customers

• cyn·i·cal·ly -k(ə-)lē adverb

Synonyms:

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

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.