Transcription
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
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- [sin-i-kuh l]
- /ˈsɪn ɪ kəl/
- /ˈsɪn.ɪ.kəl/
-
- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [sin-i-kuh l]
- /ˈsɪn ɪ kəl/
Definitions of cynical word
- adjective cynical If you describe someone as cynical, you mean they believe that people always act selfishly. 3
- adjective cynical If you are cynical about something, you do not believe that it can be successful or that the people involved are honest. 3
- adjective cynical distrustful or contemptuous of virtue, esp selflessness in others; believing the worst of others, esp that all acts are selfish 3
- adjective cynical sarcastic; mocking 3
- adjective cynical showing contempt for accepted standards of behaviour, esp of honesty or morality 3
- adjective cynical believing that people are motivated in all their actions only by selfishness; denying the sincerity of people's motives and actions, or the value of living 3
Information block about the term
Origin of cynical
First appearance:
before 1580 One of the 35% oldest English words
First recorded in 1580-90; cynic + -al1
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Cynical
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
cynical popularity
A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 90% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".
cynical usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for cynical
adj cynical
- contemptuous — If you are contemptuous of someone or something, you do not like or respect them at all.
- derisive — A derisive noise, expression, or remark expresses contempt.
- ironic — using words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of its literal meaning; containing or exemplifying irony: an ironic novel; an ironic remark.
- misanthropic — of, relating to, or characteristic of a misanthrope.
- mocking — to attack or treat with ridicule, contempt, or derision.
adjective cynical
- sceptical — inclined to skepticism; having an attitude of doubt: a skeptical young woman who will question whatever you say.
- distrustful — unable or unwilling to trust; doubtful; suspicious: An alert scientist is distrustful of coincidences.
- negative — expressing or containing negation or denial: a negative response to the question.
- disparaging — that disparages; tending to belittle or bring reproach upon: a disparaging remark.
- detracting — to take away a part, as from quality, value, or reputation (usually followed by from).
Antonyms for cynical
adj cynical
- believing — to have confidence in the truth, the existence, or the reliability of something, although without absolute proof that one is right in doing so: Only if one believes in something can one act purposefully.
- trusting — Law. of or relating to trusts or a trust.
- hopeful — full of hope; expressing hope: His hopeful words stimulated optimism.
- optimistic — disposed to take a favorable view of events or conditions and to expect the most favorable outcome.
- undoubting — to be uncertain about; consider questionable or unlikely; hesitate to believe.
adjective cynical
- naive — having or showing unaffected simplicity of nature or absence of artificiality; unsophisticated; ingenuous.
- respectful — full of, characterized by, or showing politeness or deference: a respectful reply.
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See also
Matching words
- Words starting with c
- Words starting with cy
- Words starting with cyn
- Words starting with cyni
- Words starting with cynic
- Words starting with cynica
- Words starting with cynical