as in desperation
cynical beliefs; beliefs that people are generally selfish and dishonest
Nothing could change her cynicism about politics.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cynicism
Beneath a formal alliance, there was a good deal of cynicism on the U.S. part about the shah’s repressive regime and use of secret police to suppress opposition.
—
Gregory F. Treverton, The Conversation, 25 June 2025
Liam Twomey: There has been a lot of understandable cynicism and some less justifiable snootiness about this competition from some quarters, but the fundamental reality of football is that if the players take it seriously, everyone else will.
—The Athletic Staff, New York Times, 28 June 2025
In the long run, however, the truth emerges, and opacity and deception merely undermine trust and amplify cynicism in the political system.
—Chicago Tribune, 23 June 2025
But gleeful cynicism is eternal and universal, especially when it’s delivered by Christopher Buckley, the author of Thank You for Smoking.
—Brian Boone, Vulture, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for cynicism
Gregory F. Treverton, The Conversation, 25 June 2025
Liam Twomey: There has been a lot of understandable cynicism and some less justifiable snootiness about this competition from some quarters, but the fundamental reality of football is that if the players take it seriously, everyone else will.
—The Athletic Staff, New York Times, 28 June 2025
In the long run, however, the truth emerges, and opacity and deception merely undermine trust and amplify cynicism in the political system.
—Chicago Tribune, 23 June 2025
But gleeful cynicism is eternal and universal, especially when it’s delivered by Christopher Buckley, the author of Thank You for Smoking.
—Brian Boone, Vulture, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for cynicism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cynicism
Noun
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As Gaza’s money supply dwindled and civilians’ desperation mounted, cash brokers’ commissions — around 5% at the start of the war — skyrocketed.—
Wafaa Shurafa,
Fortune,
11 July 2025
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These accumulating pressures led Hollywood to a moment of existential desperation—which had unfortunate consequences for female actors.—
Mayukh Sen,
The Atlantic,
9 July 2025
Noun
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This is the despair of wrestlers: unredeemed perspiration, useless bruises.—
James Parker,
The Atlantic,
6 July 2025
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For the most part, professors were, yes, in despair.—
Sean Illing,
Vox,
5 July 2025
Noun
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Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett also condemned the shooting and expressed his sorrow for the parents of the victims.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
5 July 2025
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We are filled with unbearable sorrow and despair at our loss.—
Aaron Valdez,
The Enquirer,
2 July 2025
Noun
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But there shouldn’t be too much doom and gloom around Madrid.—
Dermot Corrigan,
New York Times,
11 July 2025
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That’s even lower than the early pandemic period that was filled with layoffs, uncertainty, and general doom and gloom.—
Rebecca Fraser-Thill,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
Noun
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And yet, amid all the pessimism, one tiny group of humans has become extraordinarily valuable: Those creating AI.—
Verne Kopytoff,
Fortune,
4 July 2025
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Like the exceptionalism question, pollsters ask about optimism in different ways, and in most of them, including a new poll from Quinnipiac released last week, optimism beats pessimism.—
Karlyn Bowman,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
Noun
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Only two divorcees responded with anything remotely reminiscent of misty-eyed melancholy.—
Hannah Pittard,
People.com,
8 July 2025
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But the title track from his 1969 LP — a platinum-seller enshrined in the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry — is perhaps his most impressive harmonic achievement, with a key change in the verse that lends a touch of melancholy to the song’s message of protest.—
Mikael Wood,
Los Angeles Times,
10 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cynicism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cynicism. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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