Cynic: meaning, definitions and examples

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cynic

 

[ หˆsษชnษชk ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

person

A cynic is someone who believes that people are only motivated by self-interest rather than acting out of concern for others.

Synonyms

doubter, pessimist, skeptic

Examples of usage

  • The cynic in me thinks that his offer to help is just a ploy to get something in return.
  • Don't be such a cynic, sometimes people do good things out of the kindness of their hearts.
Context #2 | Noun

philosophy

In ancient philosophy, a cynic is a person who believes that life is full of corruption and hypocrisy, and who rejects conventional values and practices.

Synonyms

ascetic, rebel, stoic

Examples of usage

  • The cynic philosopher Diogenes lived in a barrel and rejected material possessions.
  • The cynics emphasized living in accordance with nature and rejecting social norms.

Translations

Translations of the word "cynic" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น cรญnico

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคจเคฟเค‚เคฆเค•

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Zyniker

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ sinis

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ั†ะธะฝั–ะบ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ cynik

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใ‚ทใƒ‹ใƒƒใ‚ฏ (shinikku)

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท cynique

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ cรญnico

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท sinik

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋ƒ‰์†Œ๊ฐ€ (naengsoga)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุณุงุฎุฑ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ cynik

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ cynik

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๆ„คไธ–ๅซ‰ไฟ—่€… (fรจnshรฌjรญsรบzhฤ›)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ ciniฤen

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ kaldhรฆรฐinn

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ั†ะธะฝะธะบ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒชแƒ˜แƒœแƒ˜แƒ™แƒแƒกแƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ kinik

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ cรญnico

Etymology

The word 'cynic' has its origins in ancient Greek philosophy. It comes from the Greek word 'kunikos', which means 'dog-like', referring to the Cynic philosophers' rejection of conventional norms and their simple way of life. The Cynic school of philosophy was founded by Antisthenes and later popularized by Diogenes of Sinope. Over time, the term 'cynic' has evolved to describe a skeptical or disillusioned person.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #25,558, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.