cynic

[ sin-ik ]

noun

1. a person who believes that only selfishness motivates human actions and who disbelieves in or minimizes selfless acts or disinterested points of view.

   Synonyms: misanthrope, pessimist, skeptic

2. (initial capital letter) one of a sect of Greek philosophers, 4th century b.c., who advocated the doctrines that virtue is the only good, that the essence of virtue is self-control, and that surrender to any external influence is beneath human dignity.
3. a person who shows or expresses a bitterly or sneeringly cynical attitude.

   Synonyms: misanthrope, pessimist, skeptic

adjective

1. cynical.
2. (initial capital letter) Also Cynical. of or relating to the Cynics or their doctrines.
3. Medicine/Medical Now Rare. resembling the actions of a snarling dog.

Cynic

¹

/ ˈsɪnɪk /

noun

1. a member of a sect founded by Antisthenes that scorned worldly things and held that self-control was the key to the only good

cynic

²

/ ˈsɪnɪk /

noun

1. a person who believes the worst about people or the outcome of events

adjective

1. a less common word for cynical
2. astronomy of or relating to Sirius, the Dog Star

Other Words From

• an·ti·cyn·ic noun adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of cynic¹

First recorded in 1540–50; from Latin Cynicus, from Greek Kynikós “Cynic,” literally, “doglike, currish,” equivalent to kyn-, stem of kýōn “dog” + -ikos -ic ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of cynic¹

C16: via Latin from Greek Kunikos, from kuōn dog

Example Sentences

The cynic in me was still on high alert for the red flags that were inevitably coming, but he was warm, with an easygoing demeanor, and very comfortable in his own skin.

From Los Angeles Times

Studies suggest that cynics suffer more depression, drink more heavily, earn less money and die younger than non-cynics.

From Los Angeles Times

Some cynics will note that this stops short of a categorical assertion that a youth mobility scheme will never happen.

From BBC

“The cynic in me says everything is political,” Pope said.

From Los Angeles Times

Despite his awareness of all that confronts us, Nathan is not a cynic.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• detractor
• doubter
• pessimist
• skeptic