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cynicism

[ sin-uh-siz-uh m ]

/ ˈsɪn əˌsɪz əm /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR cynicism ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

cynical disposition, character, or belief.

a cynical remark.

(initial capital letter) any of the doctrines or practices of the Cynics.

Origin of cynicism

First recorded in 1665–75; cynic + -ism

OTHER WORDS FROM cynicism

an·ti·cyn·i·cism, noun

Words nearby cynicism

cynewulf, cynghanedd, cynic, cynic spasm, cynical, cynicism, cyno-, cynocephaly, cynodont, cynophobia, cynopodous

Example sentences from the Web for cynicism

It creates a cynicism in us that is not the most noble of things to dwell upon.

Ron Perlman's Secret Suicide Attempt |William O’Connor |October 28, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
That is the height of cynicism, combined with an admission of impotence.

Border Kids Crisis—Impotent Congress |John Avlon |July 10, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
But our cultural resistance to sentiment is all inclusive—our cynicism crosses all genders, all ages, all classes.

A Love Letter to ‘The Notebook,’ a Melodrama That Commits to Its Sentimentality |Teo Bugbee |June 26, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
But Sciortino cut her teeth in that world of excess irony, cynicism, and posturing.

Is This Dildo-Licking, Dominatrix-Loving Vogue Blogger the New Face of Feminism? |Lizzie Crocker |May 22, 2014 |DAILY BEAST

Despite this cynicism, Hood says he is hopeful about the future.

Drive-By Truckers Produce Their Best Album in Years |Howard Wolfson |March 9, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
He might pretend to cynicism to hide his deep pleasure in it; none the less, he was moved profoundly.

Mavericks |William MacLeod Raine
Verrian was tempted to add the condition by the opportunity for a cynicism which he did not feel.

Fennel and Rue |William Dean Howells
His non-appearance afforded Shelton another proof of the delicacy that went hand in hand with the young vagrant's cynicism.

The Island Pharisees |John Galsworthy
Nor had I suspected one in whom cynicism and distrust of undergraduates (of my sort) seemed so ingrained, of such idealism.

A Far Country, Complete |Winston Churchill
Lazarotto's cynicism is of an intellectual order, as is his ready lying to avert suspicion from his master.

The Growth of English Drama |Arnold Wynne

British Dictionary definitions for cynicism (1 of 2)

cynicism

/ (ˈsɪnɪˌsɪzəm) /

noun

the attitude or beliefs of a cynic

a cynical action, remark, idea, etc

British Dictionary definitions for cynicism (2 of 2)

Cynicism

/ (ˈsɪnɪˌsɪzəm) /

noun

the doctrines of the Cynics