Meaning of Cynic | Babel Free

Definitions

1. A person whose outlook is scornfully negative.
2. 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.
3. A person who believes that all people are motivated by selfishness.

Equivalents

Examples

“Well, that's one in the eye for the nay-sayers, the doubters, the cynics and assorted tosspots what make up the media and that.”

“"Accept your limitations," I'd warn her. "A lot of these kids are damaged beyond repair." And you know what her response was? That I was cynical. Which hit a nerve, I had to admit. I wasn't a cynic; I was a banged-up realist. You live to middle age, you begin to reckon with life's limits, you know? You lace up your sneakers and run it out.”

“The cynic surfaced, reminding him that she'd been accused of trying to spring the baby trap on Brad Comfort.”

CEFR level