cynical
Of or relating to the belief that human actions are motivated only or primarily by…Of or relating to the belief that human actions are motivated only or primarily by base desires or selfishness.
Meaning
5 sensesOf or relating to the belief that human actions are motivated only or primarily by base desires or selfishness.
цини́чныйciníčnyj
цині́чнийcyníčnyj
Skeptical of the integrity, sincerity, or motives of others.
believing the worst of human nature and motives; having a sneering disbelief in e.g. selflessness of others
Bitterly or jadedly distrustful or contemptuous; mocking.
zynisch
Showing contempt for accepted moral standards by one's actions.
zynisch
(rare)Like the actions of a snarling dog, especially in reference to facial nerve paralysis.
Examples
56 sentencesHow did you get to be so cynical?
Як ти став таким циніком? — deniko
Why are people always so cynical?
Чому люди завжди такі цинічні? — deniko
ruПочему люди всегда такие циничные? — paul_lingvo
deWarum sind immer alle so zynisch? — Pfirsichbaeumchen
Why are you always so cynical?
Чому ти завжди така цинічна? — deniko
ruПочему ты всегда такая циничная? — Wezel
deWarum bist du immer so zynisch? — Pfirsichbaeumchen
I'm not that cynical.
Я не настільки цинічний. — deniko
ruЯ не настолько циничен. — marafon
Tom is cynical.
Том цинік. — deniko
ruТом циничен. — marafon
deTom ist zynisch. — Felixjp
Translations
9 languagesBy meaning 1
By meaning 1
By meaning 1
Origin
Originated 1542, from Classical Latin cynicus (“Cynic/cynic”, adjective) + -al. By surfaceOriginated 1542, from Classical Latin cynicus (“Cynic/cynic”, adjective) + -al. By surface analysis, cynic + -al. In reference to dogs, with allusion to the ultimate etymology (Ancient Greek κυνικός (kunikós, “doglike”)).
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Forms
more cynical, most cynical| Comparative | more cynical Lesson |
|---|---|
| Superlative | most cynical Lesson |
regular
Synonyms
2 synonyms- believing the worst of human nature and motives; having a sneering disbelief in e.g. selflessness of others:misanthropicmisanthropical
Word family
10 related wordsLessons for this word
2 lessons- A2Comparatives — Because it has a comparative form
- A2Superlatives — Because it has a superlative form