cynicism
noun
cyn·i·cism
ˈsi-nə-ˌsi-zəm 
1
capitalized
: the doctrine of the Cynics (see cynic sense 2)
2
: cynical attitude or quality
Nothing could change her cynicism about politics.
also
: a cynical comment or act
pungent cynicisms
Examples of cynicism in a Sentence
Nothing could change her cynicism about politics.
Recent Examples on the Web
For decades, they have been disillusioned by the cynicism, intellectual narrowness and greed of the corporate academy, which chose profit over principles while providing knowledge without conscience, skill without reflection, and schooling without heart.
—
MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
In times of increasing cynicism and apathy in the zeitgeist, this phantasm extravaganza — at once humorously deadpan in its playful tableaus and poignantly sincere at its emotional core — feels like a breath of fresh air.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 21 Oct. 2025
In a world of cynicism, Logano refuses to fall in line.
—Jeff Gluck, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
Gone is the cynicism that clouded the Biden era.
—Faisal J. Abbas, semafor.com, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cynicism
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MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
In times of increasing cynicism and apathy in the zeitgeist, this phantasm extravaganza — at once humorously deadpan in its playful tableaus and poignantly sincere at its emotional core — feels like a breath of fresh air.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 21 Oct. 2025
In a world of cynicism, Logano refuses to fall in line.
—Jeff Gluck, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
Gone is the cynicism that clouded the Biden era.
—Faisal J. Abbas, semafor.com, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cynicism
Cite this Entry
“Cynicism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cynicism. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
cynicism
noun
cyn·i·cism
ˈsin-ə-ˌsiz-əm
: a cynical attitude or quality
also
: an expression of cynical quality
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