cynic:
(the first, ‘c’ with ‘y’, is said with the ‘si’ sound in “sink”; and the last ‘c’ is said with a ‘k’ sound)
a person who sees little or no good or usefulness in anything or anyone and sees negative in everyone and everything by nature;
a person who thinks that all people act selfishly in their own interest, and shows this attitude by making unkind and unfair remarks about people and things,
a cynic?
When I look at myself, I feel that I’m a cynic myself, finding negative in everyone and everything.
According to Oscar Wilde, an Irish writer, poet, dramatist, novelist and critic (1854 — 1900), a cynic is ‘a man who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing.’
According to Henry Louis Mencken, an American journalist, essayist, magazine editor, satirist, acerbic critic of American life and culture, and a scholar of American English (1800 — 1956), a cynic is ‘ a man who, when he smells a flower, looks around for a coffin.’
After living with cutthroat businesspersons for quite a long time, Ted has become a cynic, believing there’s nobody without selfishness!
a typical cynic
For an interesting and informative article on the difference between a cynic and a sceptic, please click here, and for an informative article that explains the difference between a cynic and an idealist, please click here.
Return to “pessimist“.
About the Author:BC Kumar
BC Kumar, an English Language Teacher, taught in numerous countries including Ethiopia, Oman and India, shares his knowledge and passion for the English Language. Disclaimer: This is a free educational website and all content has been compiled by the author. All copyrights to images and videos belong to their respective owners.
