cynical
distrustful of others' motives and inclined to expect the worst
Word origin: From Greek kynikos, doglike, the name of an ancient philosophical school.
Cynical in a sentence
Here are example sentences showing cynical in a sentence.
Years in politics had left him cynical about every grand promise.
After years covering corruption, the reporter grew cynical about politicians' promises of reform.
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Verbal · Sentence Equivalence
The treaty's terms were deliberately blank, allowing each side to interpret the key clauses in whatever way best suited its own interests.
Using “cynical” well
Cynical describes a settled distrust of others' motives and an expectation of the worst, pairing with jaded and distrustful. It is darker than mere skepticism, which questions claims without assuming bad faith.
More GRE words starting with C
a small secret group plotting against a government or authority
having a hidden or mysterious meaning understood only by initiates
a harsh, jarring mixture of sounds
to obtain something by begging or sponging off others
falling off or shed at an early stage, especially of plant parts
to coax someone into doing something through flattery or persuasion
an event causing great damage, loss, or distress
misty, dim, or dark, and therefore obscure
Questions about “cynical”
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