cynicism
/ˈsɪnɪsɪz(ə)m
/noun [mass noun]
1An inclination to believe that people are motivated purely by self-interest; scepticism: public cynicism about politics...
- MH apparently is unaware of the depths of his own political cynicism.
- Their run to the top of the standings is cause for cynicism.
- The incompetence, the lies, the bullying, the cynicism, the cover-ups.
Synonyms
scepticism, doubt, distrust, mistrust, doubtfulness, suspicion, disbelief, incredulity, unbelief, scoffing;
pessimism, negative thinking, negativity, world-weariness, disillusion, disenchantment
rare dubiety, sardonicism
1.1An inclination to question whether something will happen or whether it is worthwhile; pessimism: cynicism about the future...
- Not all Mosteller's Bayesian suspicions, some of which verge on cynicism, have proved well founded.
- For The Book Show journalist Rachel Carbonell read Flat Earth News with a healthy dose of cynicism.
- He is being driven mad by the all-pervasive cynicism of modern Britain.
2 (Cynicism) A school of ancient Greek philosophers, the Cynics.