'Cynical' definitions:

Definition of 'cynical'

(from WordNet)
adjective
Believing the worst of human nature and motives; having a sneering disbelief in e.g. selflessness of others [syn: cynical, misanthropic, misanthropical]

Definition of 'Cynical'

From: GCIDE
  • Cynic \Cyn"ic\ (s[i^]n"[i^]k), Cynical \Cyn"ic*al\ (-[i^]*kal), a. [L. cynicus of the sect of Cynics, fr. Gr. kyniko`s, prop., dog-like, fr. ky`wn, kyno`s, dog. See Hound.]
  • 1. Having the qualities of a surly dog; snarling; captious; currish.
  • I hope it is no very cynical asperity not to confess obligations where no benefit has been received. --Johnson. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. Pertaining to the Dog Star; as, the cynic, or Sothic, year; cynic cycle. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. Belonging to the sect of philosophers called cynics; having the qualities of a cynic; pertaining to, or resembling, the doctrines of the cynics. [1913 Webster]
  • 4. Given to sneering at rectitude and the conduct of life by moral principles; believing the worst of human nature and motives; disbelieving in the reality of any human purposes which are not suggested or directed by self-interest or self-indulgence; having a sneering disbelief in the selflessness of others; as, a cynical man who scoffs at pretensions of integrity; characterized by such opinions; as, cynical views of human nature.
  • Syn: misanthropic, misanthropical. [1913 Webster]
  • Note: In prose, cynical is used rather than cynic, in the senses 1 and 4. [1913 Webster]
  • Cynic spasm (Med.), a convulsive contraction of the muscles of one side of the face, producing a sort of grin, suggesting certain movements in the upper lip of a dog. [1913 Webster]

Synonyms of 'cynical'

From: Moby Thesaurus

Words containing 'Cynical'