cynic

noun

ˈsi-nik How to pronounce cynic (audio)
Definition of cynicnext
as in misanthrope
a person who distrusts other people and believes that everything is done for selfish reasons a cynic who believes that nobody does a good deed without expecting something in return

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of cynic Of course, cynics would say this is an easy way to get laughs, but Galifianakis’ quick wit ensures the unfiltered youngsters don’t always take center stage. — Jon O'Brien, IndieWire, 22 Apr. 2026 Not everyone is happy about this apparently, as large portions of cynics and haters on social media are apparently ready to say auf wiedersehen to Freddy. — Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 30 June 2026 The dollar amount was chosen arbitrarily based on what voters might accept, and some cynics saw it as a move by a pro-development commission to cozy up to environmentalists. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 9 Mar. 2026 The cynics are figures like Sam Bankman-Fried, who built a fortune off of a crypto exchange called FTX, which crashed and burned in the fall of 2022, eventually sending Bankman-Fried to prison for fraud. — Jack Crosbie, Rolling Stone, 7 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cynic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cynic
  1. misanthrope
  2. critic
  3. pessimist
  4. naysayer
  5. skeptic
Noun
  • Still, this misanthrope takes somewhat of a liking to Fiona (Florence Ordesh), the woman who shows him to his room and tends the hotel bar.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 30 Apr. 2026
  • The story follows a rag-tag group of misanthropes who attempt to rob jewels from the Vatican.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 10 Mar. 2026
Definition of misanthrope
Noun
  • Early reactions dropped Monday, and while these are always to be taken with a grain of salt, the superlatives are flying from the keyboards of fanboys and film critics alike.
    — Tom Tapp, Deadline, 6 July 2026
  • Yang was investigated as part of President Xi Jinping ’s decade-long anti-corruption campaign that critics say has been used partly to remove his political rivals.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 July 2026
Definition of critic
Noun
  • However, that’s looking at it from the pessimist’s point of view.
    — Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026
  • Advertisement If Rogen was the optimist, did that make Wilde the pessimist?
    — Eliana Dockterman, Time, 26 June 2026
Definition of pessimist
Noun
  • This gives everyone permission to be a critic, instead of being labeled as a naysayer.
    — William DeCourcy, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026
  • Whatever a naysayer of the sport in this country wants to say about it, professional soccer and expectations for the national teams are part of the American sports culture now.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 June 2026
Definition of naysayer
Noun
  • Among rarer varieties, Tavkveri deserves attention — a pale red from Kartli with spice, blue fruit and low alcohol around 12%, the kind of wine that converts skeptics without announcing itself.
    — Michelle Williams, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
  • When the site went live in February 2011, skeptics weren’t hard to find.
    — The Editors, Robb Report, 27 June 2026
Definition of skeptic

Browse Nearby Words

cylindrical
cynic
cynical
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Cite this Entry

“Cynic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cynic. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on cynic

Nglish: Translation of cynic for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cynic

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