cynical

4 definitions • 8 examples

believing that people are only interested in themselves and are not sincere:

cynical view She has a pretty cynical view of men.

cynical about I've always been deeply cynical about politicians.

used to say that someone's feelings or emotions are used to your own advantage:

She works in that most cynical of industries - advertising.

He praises my cooking but it's just a cynical ploy to get me to make him dinner.

not showing fairness or respect to an opposing player:

Most of my injuries have come from bad cynical tackles.

Cynical fouls by defenders with no intention of playing the ball were the reason referees were asked to get tough in the first place.

not trusting or respecting the goodness of other people and their actions, but believing that people are interested only in themselves:

Listening to politicians for too long can make you cynical.

She’s become cynical about men.