1. Word finder
  2. Word definitions
  3. cynic

Find the word definition

What is "cynic"

Crossword clues for cynic

cynic
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
cynic
noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM CORPUS
■ VERB
say
▪ Editorial Researchers - and cynics - say that research doesn't give answers but only throws up more questions.
▪ Though cynics may say something else, long lunches are part of the job description for a working hack.
▪ Nothing new there, cynics would say.
▪ The cynics say you can only die once and either heart disease or cancer are likely to get you in the end.
▪ For the cynic will always say that the scientists of the past simply feigned their belief in order to escape persecution.
▪ Of course cynics may say that taking time could also be self-serving for those employed by a campaign.
EXAMPLES FROM CORPUS
▪ After all, the cynics pointed out, he was the seventeenth person to hold the office in seventeen years.
▪ But while cynics often serve as acute commentators, they seldom make for effective organizational leaders.
▪ Even the mouse and the cynic are constantly making an exhibition of themselves.
▪ Jasper, the cynic, shook his head.
▪ Some cynics might dismiss such statements as cosmic hyperbole.
▪ Two days later, despite the speculations of cynics, it was seen leaving again.
The Collaborative International Dictionary
Cynic

Cynic \Cyn"ic\ (s[i^]n"[i^]k), Cynical \Cyn"ic*al\ (-[i^]*kal), a. [L. cynicus of the sect of Cynics, fr. Gr. kyniko`s, prop., dog-like, fr. ky`wn, kyno`s, dog. See Hound.]

  1. Having the qualities of a surly dog; snarling; captious; currish.

    I hope it is no very cynical asperity not to confess obligations where no benefit has been received.
    --Johnson.

  2. Pertaining to the Dog Star; as, the cynic, or Sothic, year; cynic cycle.

  3. Belonging to the sect of philosophers called cynics; having the qualities of a cynic; pertaining to, or resembling, the doctrines of the cynics.

  4. Given to sneering at rectitude and the conduct of life by moral principles; believing the worst of human nature and motives; disbelieving in the reality of any human purposes which are not suggested or directed by self-interest or self-indulgence; having a sneering disbelief in the selflessness of others; as, a cynical man who scoffs at pretensions of integrity; characterized by such opinions; as, cynical views of human nature.

    Syn: misanthropic, misanthropical.

    Note: In prose, cynical is used rather than cynic, in the senses 1 and 4.

    Cynic spasm (Med.), a convulsive contraction of the muscles of one side of the face, producing a sort of grin, suggesting certain movements in the upper lip of a dog.

Cynic

Cynic \Cyn"ic\, n. (Gr. Philos)

  1. One of a sect or school of philosophers founded by Antisthenes, and of whom Diogenes was a disciple. The first Cynics were noted for austere lives and their scorn for social customs and current philosophical opinions. Hence the term Cynic symbolized, in the popular judgment, moroseness, and contempt for the views of others.

  2. One who holds views resembling those of the Cynics; a snarler; a misanthrope; particularly, a person who believes that human conduct is directed, either consciously or unconsciously, wholly by self-interest or self-indulgence, and that appearances to the contrary are superficial and untrustworthy.

    He could obtain from one morose cynic, whose opinion it was impossible to despise, scarcely any not acidulated with scorn.
    --Macaulay.

Related phrases:
Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
cynic

mid-16c., in reference to the ancient philosophy, from Greek kynikos "a follower of Antisthenes," literally "dog-like," from kyon (genitive kynos) "dog" (see canine). Supposedly from the sneering sarcasm of the philosophers, but more likely from Kynosarge "Gray Dog," name of the gymnasium outside ancient Athens (for the use of those who were not pure Athenians) where the founder, Antisthenes (a pupil of Socrates), taught. Diogenes was the most famous. Popular association even in ancient times was "dog-like" (Lucian has kyniskos "a little cynic," literally "puppy"). Meaning "sneering sarcastic person" is from 1590s.

Wiktionary
cynic

a. Of or relating to the Cynics. n. A member of a sect of Ancient Greek philosophers who believed virtue to be the only good and self-control to be the only means of achieving virtue.

WordNet
cynic

  1. n. someone who is critical of the motives of others [syn: faultfinder]

  2. a member of a group of ancient Greek philosophers who advocated the doctrine that virtue is the only good and that the essence of virtue is self-control

Wikipedia
Cynic (band)

Cynic is an American progressive metal band — incorporating experimental music, alternative, metal and jazz fusion elements — founded in Miami, Florida, and currently based in Los Angeles, California. Their first album, Focus, released on September 14, 1993, is widely regarded as a landmark release of the progressive metal genre. Cynic disbanded in 1994, but reunited in 2006, and released their second album on November 17, 2008. Traced in Air was released through French label Season of Mist, followed up by an EP titled Re-Traced on May 18, 2010 and an EP titled Carbon-Based Anatomy on November 11, 2011. Their third studio album, Kindly Bent to Free Us, was released on February 14, 2014. The current status of the band, a partnership between Masvidal and Reinert since the genesis of the group, is in dispute, with Sean Reinert claiming that the band is disbanded, and Masvidal claiming the opposite. A recent concert October 3, 2015 at Euroblast Festival featured guest drummer Matt Lynch.

Usage examples of "cynic".

He would never have told the full truth to that incredulous old cynic of a time-server--the truth that he was resigning at the dictation of a pride which forbade him to involve others in the ruin he, in his madness, was bent upon.

The cynic Demetrius--his rules of conduct--Of the truly wise man--Whether one who has done everything in his power to return a benefit has returned it--Ought one to return a benefit to a bad man?

In the matter of the penny he thought of the king, in that of the talent he thought of the cynic, whereas with respect to the cynic it would have been right to receive the penny, with respect to the king it would have been right to give the talent.

Though there may be things which are too great for a cynic to receive, yet nothing is so small, that it does not become a gracious king to bestow it.

Your cynic has publicly proclaimed his hatred of money, and assumed the character of one who despises it: let him act up to his professions.

The cynic Demetrius, who in my opinion was a great man even if compared with the greatest philosophers, had an admirable saying about this, that one gained more by having a few wise precepts ready and in common use than by learning many without having them at hand.

He spoke with so much warmth that Haxtell, who was a cynic, made a mental note of a possible line of inquiry.

Only a hardened cynic would notice that Elaine French was perfectly made up, that her fur coat was worn casually open to display her perfect figure rather than bundled up for warmth, that the lighting had been used to flatter and enhance her beauty.

He began quoting Colney Durance with relish while sarcastically confuting the cynic, who found much pasture in these Gardens.

Being a cynic, I did not believe our sentimental hero was nostalgic for his Baetican bride of barely a few months, Claudia Rufma.

The many voices of his workthe rhythms and stances of the clinical observer, sardonically twisted wit, enraged cynic, brilliant brooding doubter, keening griever after beauty or at least dignity, humble straight talker, and of course, the thunderare all his voice.

The many voices of his work -- the rhythms and stances of the clinical observer, sardonically twisted wit, enraged cynic, brilliant brooding doubter, keening griever after beauty or at least dignity, humble straight talker, and of course, the thunder -- are all his voice.

Its efficiency silenced all but the irredeemable cynics, those inhabitants of the city who enjoyed Dublin the more for being able to find daily reminders of its chaos and decrepitude.

Those same cynics said that it was an unrealistic commitment, naive and doomed to failure.

Maybe it was just me, maybe I was an old cynic, maybe he really was a literary giant penning the next Catcher in the Rye above my very ceiling, and if I ever saw him on Parky, or in the top ten at Smiths, believe me, I would be the first to put my hands up and there would definitely be hats for dinner.