cynicism

83 7.2

A general belief that people act mainly to help themselves

noun
/ˈsɪnɪsɪzəm/

: cinismo

Although the nation has healed some, she says that much of the cynicism still remains.
public cynicism
social cynicism
political cynicism

He he expressed a broad cynicism as his leadership style.

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Examples

But when we devolve into cynicism, what happens?
However, now cynicism does have its limits, but it has its uses too.
But let me say finally that cynicism is easy.

Lex Fridman
So, you know, I think that that cynicism, you know, is sort of popular.

Film Courage
So and people have a general cynicism about the economy in this.
Is this real sense of cynicism about institutions?
I will tell you that cynicism is one of my least favorite traits on earth.
And I think that's what a lot of people think of as cynicism today, Right.
"Jinx has a healthy cynicism about everything, coupled with a dry sense of humor."

Fiction book (1996)
Many citizens expressed their cynicism about the politician's promises during the campaign.

Synonyms

distrustfulness

vscynicism

7.5

A feeling of not trusting other people

focuses on believing others act mainly from self interest not merely suspicion

Antonyms

trust

699 1.0

Strong belief that a person or thing is honest and reliable

optimism

209 2.8

A tendency to expect good results and see the positive side of things

How Cynical

misanthropy

1 9.9

cynicism

83 7.2

distrust

58 3.5

suspicion

170 3.0

Surface Forms

cynicism singular

cynicisms plural

Morphology

cynicism = cynic (transparent) = cynic + ism

Formed by productive suffixation of '-ism' to 'cynic' to denote the quality, belief, or doctrine associated with a cynic; the meaning follows a standard pattern.

Etymology

Cynicism comes from an old Greek word kynikos, which meant 'dog-like' and named a group of thinkers called the Cynics who lived simply and often scorned social rules. So cynicism now means doubting people's sincerity and believing they act mainly from self-interest.