From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishcyniccyn‧ic /ˈsɪnɪk/ ●○○ noun [countable] BELIEVEsomeone who is not willing to believe that people have good, honest, or sincere reasons for doing something Even hardened cynics believe the meeting is a step towards peace. —cynicism /-sɪzəm/ noun [uncountable]
Examples from the Corpus
cynic• Two days later, despite the speculations of cynics, it was seen leaving again.• Some cynics might dismiss such statements as cosmic hyperbole.• After all, the cynics pointed out, he was the seventeenth person to hold the office in seventeen years.• Even the mouse and the cynic are constantly making an exhibition of themselves.• Jasper, the cynic, shook his head.• But while cynics often serve as acute commentators, they seldom make for effective organizational leaders.hardened cynics• Even hardened cynics believe the meeting is a step toward peace.Origin cynic (1500-1600) Latin cynicus, from Greek kynikos “like a dog”, from kyon “dog” 