What is meaning of cynical?

Pronunciation

/ˌwʌt ɪz ˈmɛɪnɪŋ əv ˈsɪnθɪkəl/

Part of Speech

Noun, Adjective

Definition

A feeling of distrust or doubting the sincerity of someone or something, often accompanied by a sense of skepticism or incredulity.

Examples

Her cynical attitude towards the proposal was not appreciated.
The company’s cynical marketing tactics were criticized.

Synonyms

Sarcastic
Pessimistic
Skeptical
Despising

Antonyms

Naive
Trustful
Optimistic
Enthusiastic

Etymology

The word “cynical” comes from the Greek word “κυνικός” (kunikos), meaning “doglike”, and was originally used to describe the cynical school of thought, which emphasized the selfishness and deceitfulness of human nature.

Usage Notes

Cynical is often used to describe a person’s attitude or behavior, but it can also be used to describe a situation or event that is perceived as unfair or dishonest.

Cultural References

The word “cynical” has been used in various forms of media, including literature, film, and music, to describe the feelings and attitudes of characters.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

A picture is worth a thousand words, but some cynics might say it’s just a trick.

Related Words or Phrases

Skepticism, Pessimism, Sarcastic, Disdain, Disappointment

Collocations

The company’s cynical marketing tactics became a talking point in the industry.

The word “cynical” is often used in formal and informal writing, as well as in spoken language, to describe a range of negative attitudes and behaviors.

Common Misspellings

Sinytical, Cinical, Sinsical, Sinical