cynical

The definition of cynical is having a belief that people only do things to serve their own needs.

(adjective)

An example of cynical is someone who believes another only gave to charity to get a date with the person asking for the donation.

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See cynical in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

  1. believing that people are motivated in all their actions only by selfishness; denying the sincerity of people's motives and actions, or the value of living
  2. sarcastic, sneering, etc.
  3. Cynic

Origin: < L cynicus, of the Cynics: see cynic

Related Forms:

See cynical in American Heritage Dictionary 4

cyn·i·cal

adjective
  1. Believing or showing the belief that people are motivated chiefly by base or selfish concerns; skeptical of the motives of others: a cynical dismissal of the politician's promise to reform the campaign finance system.
  2. Selfishly or callously calculating: showed a cynical disregard for the safety of his troops in his efforts to advance his reputation.
  3. Negative or pessimistic, as from world-weariness: a cynical view of the average voter's intelligence.
  4. Expressing jaded or scornful skepticism or negativity: cynical laughter.

Related Forms:

  • cynˈi·cal·ness noun

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