cynicism
cynicism
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "cynicism" is:
/ˈsɪnɪsɪzəm/
Here's a breakdown by syllable:
cyn (/ˈsɪn/):
/s/ (voiceless alveolar fricative) as in "sun"
/ɪ/ (near-close near-front unrounded vowel) as in "bit"
/n/ (alveolar nasal) as in "nose"
i (/ɪ/):
/ɪ/ (near-close near-front unrounded vowel) as in "bit"
cis (/sɪz/):
/s/ (voiceless alveolar fricative) as in "sun"
/ɪ/ (near-close near-front unrounded vowel) as in "bit"
/z/ (voiced alveolar fricative) as in "zebra"
m (/əm/):
/ə/ (mid-central vowel or schwa) as in "about"
/m/ (bilabial nasal) as in "man"
Word Form Variations
Cynicism (noun):
This is the base form of the word. It refers to a belief that people are motivated by self-interest. It's generally used as an uncountable noun.
Cynic (noun):
This refers to a person who holds cynical beliefs.
Cynical (adjective):
This describes something or someone characterized by cynicism.
Cynically (adverb):
This describes how something is done in a cynical manner.
Therefore, the main word form variations revolve around:
The noun form ("cynicism," "cynic")
The adjective form ("cynical")
The adverb form ("cynically")
It is important to note that "cynicism" itself is generally an uncountable noun, so it does not typically have a plural form.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun: Cynicism
Definition:
A distrustful attitude characterized by a general belief that people are motivated by self-interest and that goodness or sincerity is often illusory.
A tendency to question or doubt the sincerity of others' motives, often leading to pessimism and skepticism about human nature.
Synonyms:
Skepticism, pessimism, distrust, doubt, misanthropy, disillusionment, incredulity.
Antonyms:
Optimism, idealism, trust, faith, hope, belief, credulity.
Noun: Cynic
Definition:
An individual who exhibits cynicism, often expressing doubt and disbelief in the sincerity or goodness of others.
A person who habitually questions the motives of others, and believes that all actions are selfishly motivated.
Synonyms:
Skeptic, pessimist, doubter, misanthrope, detractor, faultfinder.
Antonyms:
Idealist, optimist, believer, trusting person, enthusiast.
Adjective: Cynical
Definition:
Characterized by or reflecting a belief that people are motivated by self-interest and that goodness is rare.
Marked by a scornful or mocking attitude toward ideals, virtue, or sincerity.
Synonyms:
Skeptical, pessimistic, distrustful, doubtful, mocking, scornful, jaded, disillusioned.
Antonyms:
Optimistic, idealistic, trusting, hopeful, credulous, naive, positive.
Adverb: Cynically
Definition:
In a manner that expresses or reflects cynicism; with doubt or disbelief in the sincerity of others' motives.
In a way that shows a belief that people are motivated by selfishness.
Synonyms:
Skeptically, pessimistically, distrustfully, doubtfully, mockingly, scornfully, ironically.
Antonyms:
Optimistically, ideally, trustingly, hopefully, naively, positively, sincerely.
Examples of Use
1. Literature:
Classic Literature:
Holden Caulfield in J.D. Salinger's "The Catcher in the Rye" is a quintessential example of a cynical character. His constant labeling of people as "phonies" reflects a deep distrust of societal norms and human sincerity.
Characters in many of George Orwell's works, especially "1984," display a weary cynicism born from living under oppressive regimes.
Modern Literature:
Many contemporary novels exploring political or social themes feature characters who have become cynical due to their experiences with corruption or injustice.
2. News and Online Publications:
Political Commentary:
News articles and opinion pieces often discuss "political cynicism," referring to public distrust of politicians and government institutions. This is especially prevalent during election cycles or periods of political scandals.
Online forums and social media platforms are rife with cynical comments about current events, often expressing skepticism about the motives of those in power.
Social Issues:
Articles addressing social problems like inequality or environmental degradation may highlight the cynicism of those who believe that meaningful change is impossible.
Online comments sections of news articles often display a high level of cynicism.
3. Entertainment:
Television and Film:
Characters like Dr. Gregory House in the television series "House M.D." are known for their sharp wit and cynical outlook on human nature.
Many dark comedies and satires rely on cynicism for their humor, often mocking societal norms or political figures.
The character of Rocket Raccoon from the guardians of the galaxy films, is another strong example of a cynical character.
Social Media:
Platforms like Twitter and Reddit are often used to express cynical views on various topics, from celebrity gossip to world events.
Memes and online humor frequently employ cynicism to satirize or critique social trends.
4. General Public Discourse:
Workplace:
Workplace cynicism can arise from feelings of burnout, lack of recognition, or perceived unfairness. Employees may express cynicism about management decisions or the company's overall direction.
Everyday Conversations:
In casual conversations, people may express cynicism about things like the news, social media, or the future of society. Phrases like "it's all rigged" or "nothing ever changes" are common expressions of this sentiment.
Social interactions:
The general decline of trust in many societies has increased the amount of cynical interactions between people.
10 Famous Quotes Using Cynicism
"Cynicism is intellectual treason." — Norman Cousins
"Cynicism masquerades as wisdom, but it is the farthest thing from it." — Stephen Colbert
"Cynicism is easy. Mimicry is easy. Optimistic originality is the hardest thing you’ll ever do." — Kevin Kelly
"Cynicism is the refuge of cowards." — Anonymous
"Cynicism is not wisdom. It's a lazy way of saying you've been burned." — Julie Burchill
"The power of hope is greater than the pull of cynicism." — Barack Obama
"Cynicism destroys belief, which is the fuel of progress." — Paul Hawken
"Cynicism is a sorry kind of wisdom." — Victor Hugo
"Cynicism is humor in ill health." — H.G. Wells
"A dose of cynicism can protect you, but too much will poison you." — Unknown
Etymology
Where it all began:
The word "cynicism" comes from the Greek word "kynismos" (κυνισμός), which means "dog-like." This, in turn, comes from "kyon" (κύων), meaning "dog."
Why "dog-like"?
This connection to dogs stems from a school of ancient Greek philosophy founded by Antisthenes, and most famously practiced by Diogenes of Sinope. These philosophers were known as "Cynics."
They rejected conventional social norms and values.
They lived very simple lives, often in poverty.
They were known for their blunt, often shocking, behavior and speech.
People saw their lifestyle as being similar to that of dogs: living without possessions, disregarding social conventions, and being very direct in their actions.
Early meaning:
So, initially, "cynicism" referred to the philosophy and lifestyle of the Cynics. It meant something like "the way of the dog."
How it changed:
Over time, the meaning of "cynicism" evolved. It shifted from describing a specific philosophical school to describing a general attitude of distrust and skepticism. This shift occurred because the Cynics' behavior was often perceived as being negative and critical of society.
First known use:
While the Greek "kynismos" was used in ancient times, the English word "cynicism" started appearing in the 16th century. It gradually took on its modern meaning of a skeptical or pessimistic outlook on human nature.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Cynicism
Phrases related to the concept of cynicism:
"A dose of cynicism":
This phrase is used to describe a moment where someone's cynical outlook is particularly strong or evident.
Example: "After seeing the latest political scandal, he had a heavy dose of cynicism."
"To breed cynicism":
This describes situations that create or encourage cynical attitudes.
Example: "Constant broken promises from the company, breed cynicism among the employees."
"To be steeped in cynicism":
This phrase describes a person who has a very strong and deep cynical outlook.
"Cynical view/outlook":
This is a general phrase to describe a persons overall cynical way of thinking.
"Cynical about (something)":
This is a very common way to use the adjective form of the word.
Idioms expressing cynical sentiments (using synonyms):
Since "cynicism" itself doesn't feature in many idioms, we can look at idioms that capture the spirit of cynicism:
"To see the glass half empty":
This idiom expresses a pessimistic outlook, which is a core component of cynicism.
"To take something with a grain of salt":
This idiom indicates skepticism and doubt, which are also hallmarks of cynicism.
"To have a jaundiced eye":
This idiom shows a negative or biased point of view.
"To believe it when I see it":
This idiom shows a distrust of anything that has not been proven.
"Every man for himself":
This phrase expresses a belief in self-interest above all else, a key aspect of cynical thinking.
Why few direct idioms?
"Cynicism" is an abstract noun, making it less likely to be used in concrete, figurative expressions.
It's more of a background attitude than a specific action.
Therefore, while direct idioms are scarce, the concept of cynicism is woven throughout language, particularly in expressions of pessimism, skepticism, and distrust.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of cynicism from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
