Lexic.us

Definition of Cynical

1. Adjective. Believing the worst of human nature and motives; having a sneering disbelief in e.g. selflessness of others.

Definition of Cynical

1. Adjective. Of or relating to the Cynics, a sect of ancient Greek philosophers who believed virtue to be the only good and self-control to be the only means of achieving virtue. ¹

2. Adjective. Concerned only with one's own interests and disregarding accepted standards to achieve them: ''A cynical fool'' ¹

3. Adjective. of or relating to the belief that human actions are motivated only or primarily by base desires or selfishness. ¹

4. Adjective. skeptical of the integrity, sincerity, or motives of others. ¹

5. Adjective. bitterly or jadedly distrustful or contemptuous; mocking. ¹

6. Adjective. showing contempt for accepted moral standards by one's actions. ¹

7. Adjective. (context: medicine rare) like the actions of a snarling dog. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Cynical

1. distrusting the motives of others [adj]

Lexicographical Neighbors of Cynical

Literary usage of Cynical

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The Book of Humorous Verse by Carolyn Wells (1920)
"cynical ODE TO AN ULTRA-cynical PUBLIC You prefer a buffoon to a scholar, A harlequin to a teacher, A jester to a statesman, An Anonyma flaring on horseback ..."

2. Chambers's Biographical Dictionary: The Great of All Times and Nations by Francis Hindes Groome, David Patrick (1898)
"He was educated for the church, made himself a fair scholar, und cultivated the character of a rake and a cynical wit. Abbot of St Denis (1775) and ..."

3. A Satire Anthology by Carolyn Wells (1905)
"cynical ODE TO AN ULTRA-cynical PUBLIC YOU prefer a buffoon to a scholar, A harlequin to a teacher, A jester to a statesman, An anonyma flaring on horseback ..."

4. A Satire Anthology by Carolyn Wells (1905)
"cynical ODE TO AN ULTRA-cynical PUBLIC YOU prefer a buffoon to a scholar, A harlequin to a teacher, A jester to a statesman, An anonyma flaring on horseback ..."

5. The Fragments of Zeno and Cleanthes by Zeno, Cleanthes (1891)
"Observe, however, that Chrysippus concurred in this opinion, which must not therefore be treated as merely cynical. 177. Diog. L. VII. ..."

6. Readers' Guide to Periodical Literatureby H.W. Wilson Company by H.W. Wilson Company (1908)
"... delightfully humorous, delightfully cynical, delightfully sane, and above all, delightfully spontaneous." 400000 SOLD There is probably no other living ..."

Other Resources: