cynical
gb/sˈɪnɪkəl/ us/sˈɪnɪkəl/
B2
Anh
~ 9100
Các nghĩa
0 nghĩa
adjective
B2
property
1
distrustful of people's motives
Not trusting that people are honest or kind, and thinking they are mainly interested in money, power, or their own benefit.
Mẫu sử dụng:
[someone] is cynical about [something]
Lỗi thường gặp:
Learners sometimes use 'cynical' when they only mean 'skeptical'. 'Skeptical' can be neutral and logical doubt, but 'cynical' almost always includes a negative judgment about people’s honesty or morals. Many also confuse 'cynical' with 'sarcastic'; sarcasm is a speaking style, while cynicism is an attitude or belief about people.
Từ đồng nghĩa
skeptical (Suggests general doubt or questioning; less negative about people’s morals than 'cynical'.)
|
world-weary (Focuses more on being tired and disappointed by life, not just doubting people’s motives.)
|
disillusioned (Suggests having lost earlier hopes or beliefs; 'cynical' often sounds colder and more judgmental.)
Từ trái nghĩa
idealistic (Believes in people’s goodness and high principles, which is the opposite of a cynical view.)
|
trusting (Ready to believe that people are honest and kind, unlike a cynical person.)
Cụm từ đi kèm
deeply cynical
|cynical about politics
|cynical view
|cynical attitude
|cynical comment
|cynical worldview
Chủ đề
emotions
|attitude
|society
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Ví dụ
- She’s become very cynical about relationships after so many breakups.
- Many young voters are cynical about politics and don’t believe any party will really change things.
- His cynical view of the world makes it hard for him to get excited about anything.
- I know it sounds cynical, but I don’t think they’re doing this to help us; they just want good publicity.
- The film offers a dark, cynical portrait of modern society.
Ví dụ cho người học
- He is very cynical and does not trust anyone.
- People are often cynical about politicians.
- After losing his job, he became cynical about big companies.
- My friend has a cynical view of marriage.
- Some students are cynical about the school’s promises.
adjective
C1
property
2
openly selfish and morally shameless
Acting in a cold and selfish way, not caring if something is dishonest or hurts other people, as long as it brings a benefit.
Mẫu sử dụng:
a cynical [action/attempt/use] of [something]
Lỗi thường gặp:
Learners often think this sense is only about thoughts or feelings, but it commonly describes actions or strategies (a cynical attempt, move, ploy) that break moral rules for gain. They may also confuse it with simply 'clever' or 'strategic'; 'cynical' always suggests an unethical or shameless side.
Từ đồng nghĩa
ruthless (Emphasizes not caring who gets hurt; 'cynical' also implies moral coldness and calculation.)
|
exploitative (Focuses on unfairly using people; 'cynical' adds a sense of open, shameless self-interest.)
|
callous (Stresses emotional hardness; 'cynical' highlights both hardness and self-serving motives.)
Từ trái nghĩa
principled (Describes behavior guided by strong moral rules, the opposite of cynical disregard for ethics.)
|
sincere (Honest and genuine, not secretly using people or situations for advantage.)
Cụm từ đi kèm
cynical attempt
|cynical ploy
|cynical exploitation
|cynical use of power
|cynical marketing
|cynical manipulation
Chủ đề
ethics
|politics
|business
|relationships
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Ví dụ
- Critics called the tax cut a cynical attempt to win votes before the election.
- The company’s cynical use of environmental language in its ads angered many customers.
- It was a cynical move: they pretended to care about safety just to avoid being sued.
- Journalists condemned the government’s cynical exploitation of the crisis to gain more power.
- Their offer of help felt like a cynical ploy to gain access to our client list.
Ví dụ cho người học
- Many people saw it as a cynical attempt to get more money.
- The ad was a cynical way to make people buy things they do not need.
- Some leaders make cynical decisions that hurt poor people.
- The movie shows a cynical use of love to sell products.
- His apology seemed like a cynical move to save his job.
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