cynical

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

Originated 1580–90 from cynic+-al.

[edit] Pronunciation

•  Audio (US)^{help, file}

• Homophones: sinical

[edit] Adjective

cynical (comparative more cynical, superlative most cynical)

1. of or related to the belief that human actions are motivated only or primarily by base desires or selfishness.
2. skeptical of the integrity, sincerity, or motives of others.
3. bitterly or jadedly distrustful or contemptuous; mocking.
4. showing contempt for accepted moral standards by one's actions.
5. (medicine, rare) like the actions of a snarling dog.

[edit] Translations

[edit] References

• “cynical” in The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition, Houghton Mifflin Company, 2000.
• “cynical” in Dictionary.com Unabridged, v1.0.1, Lexico Publishing Group, 2006.
• "cynical" in WordNet 3.0, Princeton University, 2006.