C1adjectivepsychology
US/ˈsɪn.ɪ.kəl/
UK/ˈsɪn.ɪ.kəl/
believing that people care only about themselves and are rarely honest or good
In context
Years of broken promises have made many voters cynical about politics.
It may sound cynical, but I think the charity event was mainly good publicity.
Critics called the advertisement a cynical attempt to profit from people's fears.
Words that go with cynical
adjective + preposition
- cynical aboutYoung graduates are often cynical about promises of fast promotion.
adjective + noun
- cynical attemptThe sudden price cut was seen as a cynical attempt to win back customers.
- cynical viewHe takes a cynical view of all celebrity charity work.
- cynical ployThe opposition called the tax cut a cynical ploy before the election.
adverb + adjective
- deeply cynicalHer deeply cynical view of love came from a painful divorce.
- increasingly cynicalReaders are becoming increasingly cynical about online product reviews.