cynicism

USAGE SUMMARY

'cynicism' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use 'cynicism' to refer to an attitude of skeptic disbelief towards the motives and actions of other people. For example: "His cynicism made it difficult for him to have meaningful relationships with others."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He is fascinated, he says, by "the journey of a man who spurns the world and is cynical about it, and whose cynicism is based on a kind of honesty".

The Economist

He's slightly cynical in the film and what triumphs over cynicism is optimism".

The Guardian - Film

I don't subscribe to the council of cynicism that sees peace as a threat to the SDLP's electoral health.

The Guardian

"Only in England can people get away with that kind of cynicism.

The Guardian - Film

Bernadett Szél, MP and co-leader of a small Green liberal party, cites the events in Kishantos and Budapest as a prime example of the "endless cynicism" of the prime minister and his party, Fidesz, whose actions and policies set him apart in the European Union, and are setting off alarm bells in Brussels and Washington.

The Guardian

All the parties have to contend with public weariness and cynicism – not just about the behaviour of politicians but over whether politics itself can do much to change things.

The Guardian

History will condemn Bush and Blair for their cynicism, he says - "I've lost count of the reasons that the prime minister has given for going to war" – and dismisses Hitchens' "Clint Eastwood" view of the world.

The Guardian

But with a healthy dose of cynicism, I feel we had an impact.

The Guardian

Club president Mark LoGiudice promised "a genuine and exhaustive process" to recruit a full-time replacement for Malthouse, lest any cynicism exist regarding the track record of Carlton's HR department.

The Guardian - Sport

Maybe it's my cynicism talking, but I don't believe there are too many politicians in Britain today who'd risk reminding the electorate of its capacity to bring about similar change.

The Guardian

Decades of political disengagement, weary cynicism and acceptance of their lot simply evaporated before this onslaught.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about political or social issues, use "cynicism" to describe a pervasive distrust of institutions or leaders. This adds depth to your analysis by implying a deeper problem than simple disagreement.

Common error

Avoid using "cynicism" when skepticism is more appropriate. Skepticism is healthy questioning, while "cynicism" suggests a belief that others are inherently self-serving.

Linguistic Context

The word "cynicism" primarily functions as a noun, denoting a distrustful attitude or a belief that people are motivated by self-interest. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, showing its role in various sentences expressing negativity or doubt towards motives.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

0.5%

Wiki

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cynicism" is a noun that describes a distrustful attitude, often rooted in the belief that others are motivated by self-interest. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical standing and prevalence in various contexts, especially within the News & Media sphere. Related terms like "skepticism" and "distrust" share semantic similarities but differ in their implications. When using "cynicism", it's important to distinguish it from healthy questioning and to avoid overusing it as a synonym for negativity. The frequency analysis, the examples from Ludwig and the authoritative source list confirm that "cynicism" is a very common term, but using it with precision enhances the clarity and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

skepticism

Emphasizes doubt and questioning, unlike "cynicism" that suggests a negative belief about motives.

distrustfulness

Highlights a disposition to suspect others, closely related to the core meaning of "cynicism".

distrust

Focuses on a lack of trust in someone or something, differing from "cynicism" which often implies a belief in self-interest.

negativity

Represents a general pessimistic attitude, while "cynicism" includes a specific belief about the motives of others.

suspicion

Involves a feeling of distrust or doubt, often based on incomplete evidence, differing slightly from the confirmed negativity of "cynicism".

pessimism

Highlights a negative outlook on the future, while "cynicism" is more concerned with current motives.

disbelief

Indicates a lack of acceptance or faith, a component of "cynicism" but not the complete picture.

doubt

Expresses uncertainty or lack of conviction, which is a component of, but not synonymous with, "cynicism".

jadedness

Implies a weariness from overexposure or disappointment, differing from the more active distrust of "cynicism".

disillusionment

Refers to a loss of faith or idealism, whereas "cynicism" can be a pre-existing state.

FAQs

How can "cynicism" be used in a sentence?

You can use "cynicism" to describe a general distrust of people's motives or institutions, as in, "The politician's actions fueled public cynicism about the government".

What are some alternatives to using the word "cynicism"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "skepticism", "distrust", or "pessimism".

Is there a difference between "cynicism" and "skepticism"?

"Cynicism" implies a belief that people are generally motivated by self-interest, while "skepticism" involves doubting claims without necessarily attributing negative motives.

In what contexts is "cynicism" most appropriately used?

"Cynicism" is often used in political commentary, social analysis, and discussions of interpersonal relationships to describe a pervasive lack of trust or faith in others or systems.