What does cynic mean?
Definitions for cynic
ˈsɪn ɪkcyn·ic
This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word cynic.
Princeton's WordNet
cynic, faultfindernoun
someone who is critical of the motives of others
Cynicnoun
a member of a group of ancient Greek philosophers who advocated the doctrine that virtue is the only good and that the essence of virtue is self-control
Wiktionary
cynicnoun
A person who believes that all people are motivated by selfishness.
cynicnoun
A person whose outlook is scornfully negative.
cynicadjective
Churlish or satirical.
Cynicadjective
Of or relating to the Cynics.
Cynicnoun
A member of a sect of ancient Greek philosophers who believed virtue to be the only good and self-control to be the only means of achieving virtue.
Etymology: Originated 1540–50 from Latin Cynicus (cynic philosopher), from Κυνικός (Kynikós) (literally doglike, currish), from κύων (dog) + -ικός; see kwon-.
ChatGPT
cynic
A cynic is a person who tends to have a negative and skeptical attitude towards other people, institutions, or events. They often believe that people are motivated solely by self-interest and are distrustful of other people's motives or intentions. Cynics typically question and criticize commonly accepted social norms, values, and beliefs.
Webster Dictionary
Cynicadjective
alt. of Cynical
Cynicnoun
one of a sect or school of philosophers founded by Antisthenes, and of whom Diogenes was a disciple. The first Cynics were noted for austere lives and their scorn for social customs and current philosophical opinions. Hence the term Cynic symbolized, in the popular judgment, moroseness, and contempt for the views of others
Cynicnoun
one who holds views resembling those of the Cynics; a snarler; a misanthrope; particularly, a person who believes that human conduct is directed, either consciously or unconsciously, wholly by self-interest or self-indulgence, and that appearances to the contrary are superficial and untrustworthy
Chambers 20th Century Dictionary
Cynic
-al, sin′ik, -al, adj. dog-like: surly: snarling: austere; misanthropic.—ns. Cynan′thropy, lycanthropy; Cyn′ic, one of a sect of philosophers founded by Antisthenes of Athens (born c. 444 B.C.), characterised by an ostentatious contempt for riches, arts, science, and amusements—so called from their morose manners: a morose man: a snarler; Cyn′icism, surliness: contempt for human nature: heartlessness, misanthropy.—adv. Cyn′ically.—n. Cyn′icalness. [Gr. kynikos, dog-like—kyōn, kynos, a dog; cf. L. can-is.]
The Foolish Dictionary, by Gideon Wurdz
CYNIC
A man who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing. All work and no play makes Jack A Dead One. D Out of fight, out of coin.--_The Pugilist's Plaint_. DABBLE v. t., To play in water. =DABBLE IN STOCKS=--Same thing.
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Anagrams for cynic »
Cincy
Numerology
Chaldean Numerology
The numerical value of cynic in Chaldean Numerology is: 4
Pythagorean Numerology
The numerical value of cynic in Pythagorean Numerology is: 9
Examples of cynic in a Sentence
What is a cynic? A man who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing.
The cynic knows the price of everything and the value of nothing.
The opposite of the religious fanatic is not the fanatical atheist but the gentle cynic who cares not whether there is a god or not.
He valued character over pedigree and he was not a cynic. He looked for the good in everybody, and usually he found it, to us.
A cynic is a man who, when he smells flowers, looks around for a coffin.
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Translations for cynic
From our Multilingual Translation Dictionary
- cynikCzech
- kynikerDanish
- ZynikerGerman
- κυνικόςGreek
- cínica, cínicoSpanish
- kyynikkoFinnish
- cyniqueFrench
- ציניקנית, ציניקןHebrew
- निंदकHindi
- cinicoItalian
- kynikerNorwegian
- cynicusDutch
- kynikarNorwegian Nynorsk
- cynikPolish
- cínicoPortuguese
- циникRussian
- cìnikSerbo-Croatian
- cinikAlbanian
- cynikerSwedish
- விட்டேத்தியானTamil
- giễu cợtVietnamese
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"cynic." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 27 Apr. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/cynic>.
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