Cynic: meaning, definitions and examples

Used when referring to someone who believes that people are motivated purely by self-interest and often questions the sincerity or integrity of others. It has a negative connotation.

• He's such a cynic; he doesn't believe anyone does anything out of kindness.
• The cynic in her doubted the charity's intentions.

Used for someone who habitually doubts accepted beliefs or commonly held opinions, and often requires strong evidence before accepting any claim. This word is typically neutral, but can sometimes be slightly negative depending on the context.

• As a skeptic, he questioned the validity of the new scientific findings.
• She looked at the proposal with a skeptic's eye, unwilling to commit without proof.

Refers to someone who tends to be uncertain or skeptical about things or who seldom takes things at face value. This word is neutral.

• He's a natural doubter and always needs more evidence before believing anything.
• Even the biggest doubters couldn't deny the success of the project.

Describes someone who expects the worst outcome or believes that the worst will happen. It generally carries a negative connotation.

• She's a pessimist and always expects things to go wrong.
• Every discussion with him ends on a pessimistic note.

Use this word when referring to someone who believes that people are primarily motivated by self-interest, often with a negative connotation.

• He's such a cynic that he doesn't believe anyone does good things without expecting something in return

Used to describe someone who can endure pain or hardship without showing their feelings or complaining.

• Despite the tough times, he remained stoic, never letting his emotions show

This word is used when describing someone who practices severe self-discipline and abstention from all forms of indulgence, typically for religious reasons.

• The monk led an ascetic life, spending his days in meditation and fasting

This term is appropriate for a person who opposes or resists authority, control, or tradition.

• As a teenager, she was always a rebel, often challenging school rules and societal norms