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
Both were full of CGI sewage, to be clear, but their askew angles on theme-park IP reflected real cynicism around core tenets of the princess narrative.
—
Darren Franich, Vulture, 26 Mar. 2025
That approach is far more likely to yield cynicism than serious climate progress.
—U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Mar. 2025
For example, a study of Nurses in the International Journal of Workplace Health Management, showed that gratitude was found to be a consistent predictor of less exhaustion, less cynicism, more proactive behaviors, higher levels of job satisfaction, and fewer absences due to illness.
—Stephen Diorio, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
There’s also a partisan cynicism embedded in this calculation—that Trump’s second term isn’t really the fascist threat that Democrats warned about on the campaign trail but a regrettable interlude that must be waited out.
—Susan B. Glasser, The New Yorker, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cynicism
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Darren Franich, Vulture, 26 Mar. 2025
That approach is far more likely to yield cynicism than serious climate progress.
—U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Mar. 2025
For example, a study of Nurses in the International Journal of Workplace Health Management, showed that gratitude was found to be a consistent predictor of less exhaustion, less cynicism, more proactive behaviors, higher levels of job satisfaction, and fewer absences due to illness.
—Stephen Diorio, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
There’s also a partisan cynicism embedded in this calculation—that Trump’s second term isn’t really the fascist threat that Democrats warned about on the campaign trail but a regrettable interlude that must be waited out.
—Susan B. Glasser, The New Yorker, 27 Feb. 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 8 Apr. 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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