What does CYNICAL mean?

Definitions for CYNICAL
ˈsɪn ɪ kəlcyn·i·cal

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word CYNICAL.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. cynical, misanthropic, misanthropicaladjective

    believing the worst of human nature and motives; having a sneering disbelief in e.g. selflessness of others

Wiktionary

  1. cynicaladjective

    of or relating to the belief that human actions are motivated only or primarily by base desires or selfishness.

  2. cynicaladjective

    skeptical of the integrity, sincerity, or motives of others.

  3. cynicaladjective

    bitterly or jadedly distrustful or contemptuous; mocking.

  4. cynicaladjective

    showing contempt for accepted moral standards by one's actions.

  5. cynicaladjective

    like the actions of a snarling dog.

  6. Cynicaladjective

    Of or relating to the Cynics, 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.

  7. Cynicaladjective

    Concerned only with one's own interests and disregarding accepted standards to achieve them: A cynical fool

  8. Etymology: Originated 1580–90 from cynic+-al.

Samuel Johnson's Dictionary

  1. Cynical, Cynickadjective

    Having the qualities of a dog; currish; brutal; snarling; satirical.

    Etymology: ϰυνιϰος.

    He doth believe that some new fangled wit (it is his cynical phrase) will some time or other find out his art. John Wilkins.

Wikipedia

  1. cynical

    Cynicism is an attitude characterized by a general distrust of the motives of "others". A cynic may have a general lack of faith or hope in people motivated by ambition, desire, greed, gratification, materialism, goals, and opinions that a cynic perceives as vain, unobtainable, or ultimately meaningless. The term originally derives from the ancient Greek philosophers, the Cynics, who rejected conventional goals of wealth, power, and honor. They practiced shameless nonconformity with social norms in religion, manners, housing, dress, or decency, instead advocating the pursuit of virtue in accordance with a simple and natural way of life. By the 19th century, emphasis on the ascetic ideals and the critique of current civilization based on how it might fall short of an ideal civilization or negativistic aspects of Cynic philosophy led the modern understanding of cynicism to mean a disposition of disbelief in the sincerity or goodness of human motives and actions. Modern cynicism is a distrust toward professed ethical and social values, especially when there are high expectations concerning society, institutions, and authorities that are unfulfilled. It can manifest itself as a result of frustration, disillusionment, and distrust perceived as owing to organizations, authorities, and other aspects of society. Cynicism is often confused with pessimism or nihilism, perhaps due to its distrust in others. The differences between the three is that cynicism is a distrust by prudence; while due to a sense of defeatism, pessimism is the distrust of potential success. Nihilism on its part is the general distrust cast upon the belief that anything in life (including life itself) has any valuable meaning.

ChatGPT

  1. cynical

    Cynical is an adjective that describes an attitude or viewpoint characterized by distrust, skepticism, and a belief that human motives are primarily selfish or insincere. Cynical individuals tend to have a pessimistic or negative perception of human nature and often question the sincerity or integrity of people's actions and intentions.

Webster Dictionary

  1. Cynicaladjective

    having the qualities of a surly dog; snarling; captious; currish

  2. Cynicaladjective

    pertaining to the Dog Star; as, the cynic, or Sothic, year; cynic cycle

  3. Cynicaladjective

    belonging to the sect of philosophers called cynics; having the qualities of a cynic; pertaining to, or resembling, the doctrines of the cynics

  4. Cynicaladjective

    given to sneering at rectitude and the conduct of life by moral principles; disbelieving in the reality of any human purposes which are not suggested or directed by self-interest or self-indulgence; as, a cynical man who scoffs at pretensions of integrity; characterized by such opinions; as, cynical views of human nature

How to pronounce CYNICAL?

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Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of CYNICAL in Chaldean Numerology is: 8

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of CYNICAL in Pythagorean Numerology is: 4

Examples of CYNICAL in a Sentence

  1. Denita Gadson:

    I don't know that I'm jaded or cynical enough to say one way or the other, things have to play out.

  2. Edward Zehr:

    I wouldn't call it fascism exactly, but a political system nominally controlled by an irresponsible, dumbed down electorate who are manipulated by dishonest, cynical, controlled mass media that dispense the propaganda of a corrupt political establishment can hardly be described as democracy either.

  3. Ted Koppel:

    I am cynical because.

  4. James Gunn:

    I just think it seems awful cynical that he would keep coming out against Marvel and then that is the only thing that would get him press for his movie, he's creating his movie in the shadow of the Marvel films, and so he uses that to get attention for something he wasn't getting as much attention as he wanted for it.

  5. Rod Graves:

    The insensitive remarks made by Jon Gruden about DeMaurice Smith are indicative of the racism that exists on many levels of professional sports, furthermore, it reveals that the journey for African Americans and other minorities in sports is riddled with irrepressible mindsets at the highest level. It is our hope that the league and team ownership will address this matter with a remedy commensurate with these painful words. This is yet another inflection point in a society fraught with cynical social blinders, absent of respect for the intellectual capacity and leadership of minorities. When will it end?

Popularity rank by frequency of use

CYNICAL#10000#21198#100000

Translations for CYNICAL

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"CYNICAL." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 29 Mar. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/CYNICAL>.

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