cynic
gb/sˈɪnɪk/ us/sˈɪnɪk/
B2
English
cinikus, kinikus
NOUN
B2
1
cinikus
B2
Usage pattern:
a cynic; a cynic about [something]
He’s a cynic who assumes every politician is in it for the money.
Ő egy cinikus, aki azt feltételezi, hogy minden politikus csak a pénzért csinálja.
After years in the industry, she became a cynic about corporate promises.
Az iparágban eltöltött évek után cinikussá vált a vállalati ígéretekkel kapcsolatban.
Don’t mind him—he’s a cynic, but he still shows up when you need help.
Learner examples
My brother is a cynic about love.
A bátyám cinikus a szerelemmel kapcsolatban.
She is not a cynic; she trusts people.
Ő nem cinikus; bízik az emberekben.
Common mistake:
Don’t confuse a cynic with a skeptic: a skeptic doubts claims because of lack of evidence, while a cynic doubts people’s motives and sincerity.
Meaning
Person who doubts others’ sincerity
Collocations
a hardened cynic
|a bitter cynic
|a complete cynic
|a self-proclaimed cynic
|a natural cynic
|a cynic about politics
|a cynic about love
|turn into a cynic
|the inner cynic
|world-weary cynic
Synonyms
skeptic (Often focuses on doubting claims or evidence rather than doubting people’s motives.)
|
pessimist (Emphasizes expecting bad outcomes, not necessarily distrusting sincerity.)
Antonyms
idealist (Believes strongly in goodness, ideals, or how things should be.)
|
optimist (Tends to expect positive outcomes and may be more trusting.)
Themes
people
|emotions
|attitudes
|communication
Definition
Someone who thinks people are not sincere and only act for their own benefit.
A person who believes that most people are motivated mainly by self-interest and who is unwilling to trust others’ sincerity, goodness, or ideals.
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
2
Usage pattern:
a Cynic; the Cynics
Diogenes is often described as the most famous Cynic.
Diogenészt gyakran a leghíresebb kinikusként írják le.
The Cynics argued that virtue mattered more than wealth or status.
A kinikusok szerint az erény fontosabb volt, mint a gazdagság vagy a rang.
In her essay, she compared Stoic ideas with those of the Cynics.
Learner examples
Diogenes was a Cynic.
Diogenész kinikus volt.
The Cynics lived very simply.
A kinikusok nagyon egyszerűen éltek.
Common mistake:
This sense is usually capitalized (Cynic) and is different from the modern meaning of someone who distrusts people’s motives.
Meaning
Follower of ancient Cynic philosophy
Collocations
the Cynic philosopher Diogenes
|the Cynics of ancient Greece
|Cynic philosophy
|a Cynic school
|Cynic teachings
Themes
history
|philosophy
|education
Definition
In ancient Greece, a person from a philosophy that rejected social rules and lived simply.
A member of an ancient Greek school of philosophy (Cynicism) that rejected social conventions and valued a simple life, self-sufficiency, and virtue.
Grammar
Dictionary form
cynic
IPA
GB/sˈɪnɪk/
US/sˈɪnɪk/
Syllables & stress
cyn - ic (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (cyn)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: cynic
- Plural: cynics
Word family
Expressions
a cynic at heart
1/ə sˈɪnɪk ˈæt hˈɑɹt/
fixed phrase
Essentially a cynic
Someone is really a cynic inside.
Examples
- He acts cheerful, but he’s a cynic at heart.
- She’s a cynic at heart when it comes to politics.
- I try to stay hopeful, but I’m a cynic at heart.
Learner examples
- He is a cynic at heart.
- She is a cynic at heart about love.
from a cynic's point of view
1/fɹˈʌm ə sˈɪnɪks pˈɔɪnt əv vjˈu/
fixed phrase
From a cynical perspective
If you think like a cynic, you would say…
Examples
- From a cynic's point of view, the campaign is just marketing.
- From a cynic's point of view, they only changed the policy to avoid a lawsuit.
- From a cynic's point of view, the heartfelt speech was carefully scripted.
Learner examples
- From a cynic's point of view, it is all about money.
take a cynic's view
1/tˈeɪk ə sˈɪnɪks vjˈu/
fixed phrase
Interpret something cynically
To look at something and assume bad motives.
Examples
- It’s easy to take a cynic's view of the announcement and assume it’s a distraction.
- If you take a cynic's view of their generosity, it’s just reputation management.
- Some readers took a cynic's view of the ending and felt it was manipulative.
Learner examples
- Don’t take a cynic's view of everything.
the cynic in me
1/ðə sˈɪnɪk ˈɪn mˈi/
fixed phrase
My skeptical, distrustful side
The part of me that doesn’t trust people thinks…
Examples
- The cynic in me thinks they’re only apologizing because they got caught.
- The cynic in me says this ‘limited offer’ will be extended again next week.
- The cynic in me suspects the donation is just for publicity.
Learner examples
- The cynic in me thinks it is a trick.
- The cynic in me doesn’t believe him.