cynicism
noun
cyn·i·cism
ˈsi-nə-ˌsi-zəm 
1
capitalized
: the doctrine of the Cynics (see cynic sense 2)
2
: cynical attitude or quality
Nothing could change her cynicism about politics.
also
: a cynical comment or act
pungent cynicisms
Examples of cynicism in a Sentence
Nothing could change her cynicism about politics.
Recent Examples on the Web
As a result, the Gold Cup still carries lesser importance to its participating nations (and particularly those who can realistically win the honor) than the Euros or Copa America, and is often viewed with as much cynicism as affection.
—
Ian Nicholas Quillen, Forbes.com, 7 May 2025
Hardly anyone would prefer to be made the fool — healthy skepticism can prevent you from clicking on a phishing link in an email or joining a multilevel marketing scheme — but a life of cynicism isn’t preferable either.
—Allie Volpe, Vox, 7 May 2025
Dissections of power and masculinity that once bristled with adversarial vitality evolved into arid dialectics and windy anecdotes pickled in smug cynicism and lacking in thematic clarity.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 30 Apr. 2025
What united them all was an attempt to crowbar these classic characters into a contemporary setting that was inevitably accompanied by cynicism and condescension.
—EW.com, 10 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cynicism
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Ian Nicholas Quillen, Forbes.com, 7 May 2025
Hardly anyone would prefer to be made the fool — healthy skepticism can prevent you from clicking on a phishing link in an email or joining a multilevel marketing scheme — but a life of cynicism isn’t preferable either.
—Allie Volpe, Vox, 7 May 2025
Dissections of power and masculinity that once bristled with adversarial vitality evolved into arid dialectics and windy anecdotes pickled in smug cynicism and lacking in thematic clarity.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 30 Apr. 2025
What united them all was an attempt to crowbar these classic characters into a contemporary setting that was inevitably accompanied by cynicism and condescension.
—EW.com, 10 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cynicism
Cite this Entry
“Cynicism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cynicism. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
cynicism
noun
cyn·i·cism
ˈsin-ə-ˌsiz-əm
: a cynical attitude or quality
also
: an expression of cynical quality
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