Definition

1. Noun:
   • A member of an ancient Greek philosophical school: A follower of the Cynics, a school of ancient Greek philosophers founded by Antisthenes and known through Diogenes of Sinope. They advocated that virtue is the only good, that it is based on self-control and living in accordance with nature, and they often rejected conventional desires for wealth, power, and fame.
   • A person with a distrustful or negative outlook: Someone who believes that people are motivated purely by self-interest rather than by acting for honorable or unselfish reasons. A cynic is generally inclined to question the sincerity or goodness of human motives and actions.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Historical):

  • Diogenes is perhaps the most famous Cynic of ancient Greece.
  • The Cynics taught that happiness comes from a simple, virtuous life.

• Noun (Modern):

  • He's such a cynic; he thinks every politician is corrupt.
  • Don't be a cynic—some people do act out of genuine kindness.

Advanced Usage

• "A healthy dose of cynicism": A common phrase suggesting that a certain amount of distrust or skepticism is practical and wise.

  • In this industry, a healthy dose of cynicism can protect you from bad deals.

• "Cynic at heart": Describes someone whose fundamental nature is distrustful or pessimistic about motives.

  • Though she smiles, she's a cynic at heart about true love.

Variants and Related Words

• Cynical (adjective): Believing that people are motivated by self-interest; distrustful of human sincerity or integrity.
  • She gave a cynical laugh when he promised to change.
• Cynicism (noun): An attitude or state of mind characterized by a general distrust of others' motives.
  • His constant cynicism makes it hard to work optimistically.

Synonyms

• Skeptic: A person inclined to question or doubt accepted opinions. (Note: A skeptic questions knowledge/truth; a cynic questions motives.)
• Misanthrope: A person who dislikes humankind and avoids human society. (Stronger, more general dislike than cynic.)
• Pessimist: A person who tends to see the worst aspect of things or believes the worst will happen. (Broader than just distrust of motives.)

Related Phrases

• "To take a cynical view": To interpret a situation or action as being driven by selfish motives.
  • He takes a cynical view of corporate charity, seeing it only as a public relations move.

Related Idioms

• "Born cynic": Someone who seems to have been distrustful or skeptical from a very young age or by nature.
  • My brother was a born cynic, never believing in fairy tales even as a child.

Noun

1. a member of a group of ancient Greek philosophers who advocated the doctrine that virtue is the only good and that the essence of virtue is self-control
2. someone who is critical of the motives of others