Glossary / Lexicon

Cynical means bitterly or sneeringly distrustful, contemptuous, or pessimistic; characteristic of a cynic; distrusting or disparaging the motives of others.

Cynical may also be def ined as follows:

1. Believing or showing the belief that people are motivated chiefly by base or selfish concerns; skeptical of the motives of others, example cynical about politician's promise of reforms

2. Selfishly or callously calculating, example a military offical shwoing a cynical disregard for the safety of his troops in his efforts to advance his reputation.

3. Negative or pessimistic, as from world-weariness, example, a cynical view of the policians motives.

4. Expressing jaded or scornful skepticism or negativity. Example, cynical laughter.