noun
cynicism
SIHN-ih-sih-zuhm
noun
1
A general distrust of people's sincerity, or the belief that self-interest drives most human behaviour.
"Years of disappointment had hardened him into deep cynicism."
"The comedian's cynicism about celebrity culture made for sharp material."
How to Use Cynicism
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA generally distrustful, jaded outlook that assumes the worst about people's motives.
Common pairings
deep cynicism
growing cynicism
political cynicism
Word Forms
cynicisms plural
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Etymology
From cynic plus -ism; ultimately from Ancient Greek kunikos, the root of the ancient Cynic philosophical school.