cynical

cynical — adjective

1. tending to believe the worst about people — that they act only for their own ben

1.adjectiveB2
Definition

tending to believe the worst about people — that they act only for their own benefit and do not truly care about others.

Example

After three failed campaigns, Obi became cynical about any promise that politicians made.

cynical about [noun/pronoun]

Tanvi's cynical view of tech firms kept her from believing their claims about helping society.

cynical view of [something]

Common collocations
  • cynical about
  • become cynical
  • so cynical
  • deeply cynical
Synonyms
  • distrustful

    less absolute; suggests lack of trust in a specific situation rather than a worldview

  • suspicious

    implies having doubts about someone's honesty without the general judgment of all people

  • jaded

    focuses on being tired or bored because of too much experience, which can lead to cynicism

Antonyms
  • trusting

    willing to believe that others are honest and sincere

  • idealistic

    believing that people can act for noble, unselfish reasons

Grammar Patterns

cynical about + noun/-ing

cynical + noun

Usage Note

Frequently takes a prepositional phrase with about to specify the target of distrust. Subject is usually a person who has had repeated disappointments.

Common Mistakes

The scientist was cynical about the data and asked for more tests.
The scientist was skeptical about the data and asked for more tests.
Cynical implies distrust of motives, not doubt about facts or evidence.
She gave a cynical smile when the joke was funny.
She gave a sarcastic smile when the joke was funny.
Cynical relates to distrust of sincerity, not to mocking or ironic humor.

2. done or said with the deliberate purpose of gaining an advantage for yourself, w

2.adjectiveC1
Definition

done or said with the deliberate purpose of gaining an advantage for yourself, without caring if other people get hurt or deceived in the process.

Example

The company made a cynical decision to cancel healthcare benefits right before the winter holidays.

cynical decision to + infinitive

Lucía called the politician's visit a cynical attempt to win votes from suffering people.

cynical attempt to + infinitive

Common collocations
  • cynical attempt
  • cynical ploy
  • cynical exploitation
  • cynical use of
Synonyms
  • calculating

    emphasizes careful planning for personal gain, often without the ruthless edge

  • exploitative

    specifically about taking unfair advantage of others' vulnerability

  • manipulative

    focuses on controlling or influencing others for your own purposes

Antonyms
  • selfless

    putting others' needs ahead of your own advantage

  • genuine

    sincere and without hidden motives

Grammar Patterns

cynical + noun (use / attempt / exploitation / appeal)

it is cynical to + infinitive

Usage Note

This sense is attributive — the adjective nearly always appears before a noun (cynical attempt, cynical ploy, cynical exploitation). The focus is on the action being calculated and ruthless, not on any belief.

Common Mistakes

He was cynical to his employees about their efforts.
He made a cynical decision that hurt his employees.
This sense modifies actions and decisions, not people's attitudes toward others.

3. deliberately rough or unfair when playing a sport, showing no respect for the op

3.adjectiveC1
Definition

deliberately rough or unfair when playing a sport, showing no respect for the opponent's safety or the rules of the game.

Example

Théo was sent off for a cynical foul that injured the opposing goalkeeper.

cynical foul

The referee gave a red card for a cynical tackle that nearly broke Lakan's leg.

cynical tackle

Common collocations
  • cynical foul
  • cynical tackle
  • cynical challenge
Synonyms
  • unsportsmanlike

    broader term covering any behavior that violates fair play

  • dirty

    informal; describes rough, illegal play with intent to harm

  • deliberate

    less negative; simply means intentional, not necessarily unfair

Antonyms
  • fair

    playing by the rules and respecting the opponent

  • clean

    legal and safe play without harmful intent

Grammar Patterns

cynical + noun (foul / tackle / challenge)

Usage Note

Used mainly in football (soccer) and rugby commentary in British English. Describes a deliberate action intended to stop an opponent by any means, often drawing a yellow or red card.

Word family

  • cynic
    nounB2
  • cynicism
    nounC1
  • cynically
    adverbC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

While all four words describe a negative outlook, cynical goes furthest in assuming selfish motives in others. Distrustful is narrower — you can be distrustful of a specific person or institution without believing all people are insincere. Suspicious suggests active doubt about someone's honesty, often in a particular situation rather than as a worldview. Jaded implies being worn out by negative experiences to the point of apathy or disillusionment, which may include cynicism but focuses on emotional exhaustion. Pessimistic relates to expecting bad outcomes rather than questioning sincerity. For example, a cynical person would say the charity's real aim is tax avoidance; a suspicious person would ask to see their financial records; a pessimistic person would predict the charity will fail to meet its goal.

distrustfulsuspicious ↗jadedpessimistic

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • become cynical
  • grow cynical
  • make cynical

Prepositions

Etymology

GreekLatinFrenchEnglish

Cynical traces back through Latin cynicus to the Greek word kynikos, meaning 'dog-like.' It originally referred to the Cynic philosophers of ancient Greece, a group who rejected social conventions and material wealth in favor of a simple, self-sufficient life. Because the Cynics were known for their sharp criticism of society, the word gradually shifted from describing a philosophical school to describing a sneering, distrustful attitude toward human motives.