cynicism

Meaning

1. (uncountable) A distrustful attitude.
2. (uncountable) An emotion of jaded negativity, or a general distrust of the integrity or professed motives of other people. Cynicism can manifest itself by frustration, disillusionment and distrust in regard to organizations, authorities and other aspects of society, often due to previous bad experience. Cynics often view others as motivated solely by disguised self-interest.
3. (countable) A scornfully pessimistic comment or act.
4. (uncountable) A school of thought in the philosophy of Ancient Greece.

Synonyms

sarcasm

pessimism

misanthropy

nihilism

contempt

cynism

satire

irony

brass neck

suspiciousness

jaundice

Translations

cynisme

cinismo

Zynismus

cinismo

cinismo

κυνισμός

cinisme

cynisme

kinizm

cinisme

impudeur

Schamlosigkeit

railleur

δυσπιστία

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈsɪn.ɪˌsɪzəm/

Etymology

From Cynicism, cynic + -ism; compare cynism.