cynical

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cynical" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a person or attitude that is distrustful of human sincerity or integrity, often believing that people are motivated by self-interest. Example: "Her cynical view of politics made it difficult for her to trust any candidate during the election."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was far from a cynical attempt to cheat, any contact with the ball was clearly accidental and most people felt he deserved the benefit of the doubt.

The Guardian - Sport

For four seasons he has been in many ways an avatar for the audience; we know Tyrion is cynical and a political pragmatist, but underneath the wit and one-liners we have clung to the idea that he is essentially good.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Tony Bunyan, director of Statewatch, which documents European justice and home affairs policies, added: "The government's justification for not participating in Triton is cynical and an abdication of responsibility by saying that not helping to rescue people fleeing from war, persecution and poverty who are likely to perish is an acceptable way to discourage immigration".

The Guardian

But if there is a hub, a clearing house for the complex, cynical and murderous business of trafficking migrants, then it is a place where the state is defunct and society disenchanted, where the border guards are biddable for $400, where the beaches are broad and where the sea lapping the shore stretches north to another far more promising coastline.

The Guardian

For the second year in a row, a young American whistleblower alarmed at the unfettered and at times cynical deployment of power by the world's foremost superpower has been voted the Guardian's person of the year.

The Guardian

Everyone can see this for what it is, a cynical attempt by the Tories to grab a few orange votes ahead of the forthcoming Westminster election," McDonnell said.

The Guardian

On the best interpretation Powell, a man of strong imperialist sympathies, was ungenerous in treating the post-imperial human legacy with such cynical or at least selfish disregard.

The Guardian

An open letter from the team asking the fans to accept that it might take some new arrivals a little longer "to adapt to the German mentality and lifestyle" was either an earnest attempt to foster integration or a cynical, Magath-led ploy to shift the blame from the obsessive wheeler-dealer manager to the foreign recruits.

The Guardian - Sport

Giles Coren has savaged restaurants with excoriating reviews, waged war against subeditors who mangle his columns, and now turned his ire against Amazon, accusing it of "cynical corporate rape" and comparing it to a "sicko porn site" in an extraordinary tirade on Twitter.

The Guardian - Money

The remaining minutes were frantic, if marred by some cynical time-wasting on behalf of the visitors.

The Guardian - Sport

Some might say the timing of these two reports was purely coincidental; other cynical voices will wonder about possible sequencing.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and the desired tone. While "cynical" can be effective for expressing critical perspectives, overuse may alienate readers or undermine credibility.

Common error

Avoid using "cynical" simply as a synonym for negative or pessimistic. Ensure the context reflects a specific distrust of others' motives or sincerity, rather than a general expectation of bad outcomes.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "cynical" primarily functions to describe a person, attitude, or action characterized by a distrust of human sincerity or integrity. This is confirmed by Ludwig's examples which showcase its role in qualifying nouns associated with beliefs, motives, or behaviors.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

18%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cynical" is a frequently used adjective to describe a distrustful or pessimistic outlook, particularly concerning human motives. Ludwig AI analysis, aligning with the data, marks it as grammatically correct and widely employed across various platforms, most notably in news and media. While the word itself carries a negative charge, it's a versatile term to accurately describe scepticism or disillusionment. When using "cynical", be aware of the specific implication of distrust and the potential impact on your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

skeptical

Focuses on doubt and questioning rather than necessarily implying a negative view of human nature.

pessimistic

Emphasizes a general belief that things will turn out badly, rather than a specific distrust of motives.

distrustful

Directly indicates a lack of trust in someone or something.

jaded

Suggests being weary and dulled by experience, often leading to cynicism.

disillusioned

Implies a loss of faith or idealism.

world-weary

Suggests a deep fatigue with the world's problems, contributing to a cynical outlook.

suspicious

Highlights a tendency to suspect wrongdoing or deception.

doubtful

Expresses uncertainty or disbelief.

scornful

Indicates contempt or disdain for something or someone.

derisive

Emphasizes mockery and ridicule.

FAQs

How to use "cynical" in a sentence?

You can use "cynical" to describe someone who is distrustful of human nature or to describe an attitude marked by a general distrust of others' motives. For example: "He had a very cynical view of politics" or "The article presented a cynical perspective on the company's actions".

What can I say instead of "cynical"?

You can use alternatives like "skeptical", "pessimistic", or "distrustful" depending on the specific shade of meaning you want to convey.

What's the difference between "cynical" and "skeptical"?

"Cynical" implies a distrust of others' motives, often believing they are selfish or insincere. "Skeptical", on the other hand, simply means having doubts or questions about something without necessarily assuming bad intentions.

Is it always negative to be "cynical"?

While often used in a negative context, being "cynical" can sometimes be seen as a realistic or even protective stance, particularly in situations where one might be easily taken advantage of. However, excessive cynicism can lead to negativity and isolation.