Definition of cynic in English:

cynic

noun ˈsɪnɪkˈsɪnɪk

1A person who believes that people are motivated purely by self-interest rather than acting for honourable or unselfish reasons.
愤世嫉俗者；玩世不恭者
some cynics thought that the controversy was all a publicity stunt
有些愤世嫉俗者认为这场争论纯属炒作。
Example sentencesExamples
- Only a complete dyed-in-the-wool cynic would suggest the two events could be possibly related.
- As a closet cynic, I will always question their ulterior motives when they dig into their pockets and support various causes.
- To us ageing cynics Fathers Day is just another materialistic calendar date when people spend hard earned cash on silly presents and cheap cards.
- Cynics have suggested that his confession is an attempt to head off blame.
- An independent media source is able to be the voice of the cynic in all of us, and to ask the questions we'd all like to have answered.
- There is no such thing as a free trade deal, only self-interest, the cynic insists.
- If the cynics are to be believed, the attacks were stage-managed for external consumption.
- Cynics argue that the space race was merely an expression of cold-war animosity.
- Some cynics say the people who subject themselves to potential humiliation on celebrity shows are doing it in hopes of reviving collapsed careers.
- Cynics argue that sports people and associations are guilty of opportunism during this time of crisis.
- The cynic within suggests that perhaps the status quo is driven by self interest of the major parties who benefit.
- For some cynics, it is merely the foreign junkets and chance to travel on per diem expenses that draws the attraction of our globalised political classes.
- Inside the bitterest cynic is always a hopeless idealist.
- The cynic in her that questioned his motive had long been silenced.
- Even such a cynic as I can't quite believe the unique blend of dishonesty and incompetence.
- I admire the idealism and I hate to be a cynic, but these plans never take human motivations into account.
- Modern cynics would have us believe that this turn of events was about something other than freedom.
- Cynics may be forgiven for wondering if there is a correlation in some impoverished countries between the desire to be a priest and the desire to eat.
- It was suggested by some cynics that the real reason for the aggressive campaign was an attempt to gain a greater market share amongst public sector workers.
1. 1.1 A person who questions whether something will happen or whether it is worthwhile.
  怀疑论者
  the cynics were silenced when the factory opened
  当工厂开业时怀疑论者没话说了。
  Example sentencesExamples
  Cynics had predicted the marriage would fail because of the 16-year age difference.
  The prime minister has the opportunity over these next 10 days to confound the cynics.
  Everyone, believer and cynic alike, was curious to know what would be said.
  Cynics predict that Hollywood's fixation on teen girls could fade faster than a high school crush.
  The result gave the lie to cynics who suggested the result was a foregone conclusion.
  The story stands in defiance of cynics who don't believe you can find your soul mate by placing an advert on the web.
  Shares rise when the majority of investors switch from being market cynics to market supporters.
  Last night came the announcement cynics predicted all along: the couple had separated after 16 months.
  Ambitious plans to build tunnels under the runway and the River Almond have been attacked by cynics, who believe the project will never be approved.
  They need to prove their critics, the doomsday predictors and the cynics wrong.
  He won gold and then confounded the cynics beating the top two Americans within the next couple of weeks.
  The performance did not quite convince the cynics, nor some of his closest colleagues in the diplomatic service.
  It was inevitable that the critical and commercial success of the film would rile the cynics.
  You don't have to be much of a cynic to question whether loggers will really be held to their promises.
  He said that the expectation and excitement prompted by the Jubilee across the nation has confounded the cynics.
  For two seasons, the football team have defied the cynics and their critics to regain and retain their status at the top of the league.
  Those cynics among you who don't believe in fairy-tales will have to think again.
  Call me a cynic, but I can't believe that a contemporary audience could find this anything other than comic.
  Synonyms
  sceptic, doubter, doubting Thomas, scoffer
  pessimist, prophet of doom, doom merchant, doom and gloom merchant, doomster, doomsayer, doom-monger, doomwatcher, Cassandra
2A member of a school of ancient Greek philosophers founded by Antisthenes, marked by an ostentatious contempt for ease and pleasure. The movement flourished in the 3rd century BC and revived in the 1st century AD.
犬儒主义者（古希腊安提西尼创立的哲学学派的成员，以公开蔑视安逸和享乐著称，公元前3世纪盛行，公元1世纪时复兴）
Example sentencesExamples
- Mack does not say that Jesus was a Cynic, but he does point out that Jesus' form of speech and many of his themes were similar to those of the Cynics.
- Cynicism was originally the philosophy of a group of ancient Greeks called the Cynics, founded by Antisthenes.
- But if we think of a Stoic like Chrysippus as deeply attracted to the Cynics ' rejection of what is merely conventional, then we will find it easy to think of Chrysippus as a strict cosmopolitan.
- Nussbaum offers as a heroic exemplar the figure of Diogenes the Cynic, who was said to have answered anyone who asked what city-state he came from by declaring, ‘I am a citizen of the world.’
- The most famous of the Cynics was Diogenes.
- It is important to note that the first-century Cynics were very diverse in their teachings and behaviour.
- The most extensive ancient report about the Cynics is found in Diogenes Laertius, Lives of the Philosophers, Book 6, although he is not a reliable source.
- The allegory was used by the cynic Antisthenes, a contemporary of Plato, and Diogenes the Cynic.
- The early Christians, drawing on the teachings of the Cynics, Sophists, and Stoics, also told slaves to be submissive and obedient, but recognized an essential inner freedom that transcended external condition.
- Free speech advocates from Diogenes the Cynic to Frank Zappa have urged libertarian openness, arguing that unfettered expression is both the right and the duty of free people.
- ‘I am Diogenes the Cynic,’ replied the philosopher.

Origin

Mid 16th century (in sense 2): from Latin cynicus, from Greek kunikos; probably originally from Kunosarges, the name of a gymnasium where Antisthenes taught, but popularly taken to mean 'doglike, churlish', kuōn, kun-, 'dog' becoming a nickname for a Cynic.

The original Cynics were members of a school of ancient Greek philosophers who displayed a contempt for wealth, luxury, and pleasure, believing that such things distracted a person from the quest for self-knowledge. The word comes from Greek kunikos. The Greek word probably derives from Kunosarges, the name of the school where one of their founders, Antisthenes, taught. This is more likely than the traditional story that the word comes from the Greek word for dog, kuōn, and so means ‘doglike or churlish’. See also epicure, stoic

Rhymes

actinic, clinic, Finnic, Jacobinic, rabbinic

Definition of cynic in US English:

cynic

nounˈsinikˈsɪnɪk

1A person who believes that people are motivated purely by self-interest rather than acting for honorable or unselfish reasons.
愤世嫉俗者；玩世不恭者
some cynics thought that the controversy was all a publicity stunt
有些愤世嫉俗者认为这场争论纯属炒作。
Example sentencesExamples
- If the cynics are to be believed, the attacks were stage-managed for external consumption.
- As a closet cynic, I will always question their ulterior motives when they dig into their pockets and support various causes.
- Some cynics say the people who subject themselves to potential humiliation on celebrity shows are doing it in hopes of reviving collapsed careers.
- An independent media source is able to be the voice of the cynic in all of us, and to ask the questions we'd all like to have answered.
- Cynics argue that sports people and associations are guilty of opportunism during this time of crisis.
- It was suggested by some cynics that the real reason for the aggressive campaign was an attempt to gain a greater market share amongst public sector workers.
- Even such a cynic as I can't quite believe the unique blend of dishonesty and incompetence.
- There is no such thing as a free trade deal, only self-interest, the cynic insists.
- For some cynics, it is merely the foreign junkets and chance to travel on per diem expenses that draws the attraction of our globalised political classes.
- Modern cynics would have us believe that this turn of events was about something other than freedom.
- Inside the bitterest cynic is always a hopeless idealist.
- Only a complete dyed-in-the-wool cynic would suggest the two events could be possibly related.
- To us ageing cynics Fathers Day is just another materialistic calendar date when people spend hard earned cash on silly presents and cheap cards.
- Cynics may be forgiven for wondering if there is a correlation in some impoverished countries between the desire to be a priest and the desire to eat.
- Cynics argue that the space race was merely an expression of cold-war animosity.
- Cynics have suggested that his confession is an attempt to head off blame.
- The cynic in her that questioned his motive had long been silenced.
- The cynic within suggests that perhaps the status quo is driven by self interest of the major parties who benefit.
- I admire the idealism and I hate to be a cynic, but these plans never take human motivations into account.
1. 1.1 A person who questions whether something will happen or whether it is worthwhile.
  怀疑论者
  the cynics were silenced when the factory opened
  当工厂开业时怀疑论者没话说了。
  Example sentencesExamples
  The story stands in defiance of cynics who don't believe you can find your soul mate by placing an advert on the web.
  The result gave the lie to cynics who suggested the result was a foregone conclusion.
  Last night came the announcement cynics predicted all along: the couple had separated after 16 months.
  The performance did not quite convince the cynics, nor some of his closest colleagues in the diplomatic service.
  Everyone, believer and cynic alike, was curious to know what would be said.
  For two seasons, the football team have defied the cynics and their critics to regain and retain their status at the top of the league.
  He won gold and then confounded the cynics beating the top two Americans within the next couple of weeks.
  Cynics had predicted the marriage would fail because of the 16-year age difference.
  Ambitious plans to build tunnels under the runway and the River Almond have been attacked by cynics, who believe the project will never be approved.
  He said that the expectation and excitement prompted by the Jubilee across the nation has confounded the cynics.
  You don't have to be much of a cynic to question whether loggers will really be held to their promises.
  It was inevitable that the critical and commercial success of the film would rile the cynics.
  Cynics predict that Hollywood's fixation on teen girls could fade faster than a high school crush.
  Call me a cynic, but I can't believe that a contemporary audience could find this anything other than comic.
  They need to prove their critics, the doomsday predictors and the cynics wrong.
  Those cynics among you who don't believe in fairy-tales will have to think again.
  Shares rise when the majority of investors switch from being market cynics to market supporters.
  The prime minister has the opportunity over these next 10 days to confound the cynics.
  Synonyms
  sceptic, doubter, doubting thomas, scoffer
2A member of a school of ancient Greek philosophers founded by Antisthenes, marked by an ostentatious contempt for ease and pleasure. The movement flourished in the 3rd century BC and revived in the 1st century AD.
犬儒主义者（古希腊安提西尼创立的哲学学派的成员，以公开蔑视安逸和享乐著称，公元前3世纪盛行，公元1世纪时复兴）
Example sentencesExamples
- The most extensive ancient report about the Cynics is found in Diogenes Laertius, Lives of the Philosophers, Book 6, although he is not a reliable source.
- The early Christians, drawing on the teachings of the Cynics, Sophists, and Stoics, also told slaves to be submissive and obedient, but recognized an essential inner freedom that transcended external condition.
- Cynicism was originally the philosophy of a group of ancient Greeks called the Cynics, founded by Antisthenes.
- The allegory was used by the cynic Antisthenes, a contemporary of Plato, and Diogenes the Cynic.
- But if we think of a Stoic like Chrysippus as deeply attracted to the Cynics ' rejection of what is merely conventional, then we will find it easy to think of Chrysippus as a strict cosmopolitan.
- It is important to note that the first-century Cynics were very diverse in their teachings and behaviour.
- Mack does not say that Jesus was a Cynic, but he does point out that Jesus' form of speech and many of his themes were similar to those of the Cynics.
- Free speech advocates from Diogenes the Cynic to Frank Zappa have urged libertarian openness, arguing that unfettered expression is both the right and the duty of free people.
- ‘I am Diogenes the Cynic,’ replied the philosopher.
- The most famous of the Cynics was Diogenes.
- Nussbaum offers as a heroic exemplar the figure of Diogenes the Cynic, who was said to have answered anyone who asked what city-state he came from by declaring, ‘I am a citizen of the world.’

Origin

Mid 16th century (in cynic (sense 2)): from Latin cynicus, from Greek kunikos; probably originally from Kunosarges, the name of a gymnasium where Antisthenes taught, but popularly taken to mean ‘doglike, churlish’, kuōn, kun-, ‘dog’ becoming a nickname for a Cynic.

词汇	cynic
释义	Definition of cynic in English: cynic noun ˈsɪnɪkˈsɪnɪk 1A person who believes that people are motivated purely by self-interest rather than acting for honourable or unselfish reasons. 愤世嫉俗者；玩世不恭者 some cynics thought that the controversy was all a publicity stunt 有些愤世嫉俗者认为这场争论纯属炒作。 Example sentencesExamples Only a complete dyed-in-the-wool cynic would suggest the two events could be possibly related. As a closet cynic, I will always question their ulterior motives when they dig into their pockets and support various causes. To us ageing cynics Fathers Day is just another materialistic calendar date when people spend hard earned cash on silly presents and cheap cards. Cynics have suggested that his confession is an attempt to head off blame. An independent media source is able to be the voice of the cynic in all of us, and to ask the questions we'd all like to have answered. There is no such thing as a free trade deal, only self-interest, the cynic insists. If the cynics are to be believed, the attacks were stage-managed for external consumption. Cynics argue that the space race was merely an expression of cold-war animosity. Some cynics say the people who subject themselves to potential humiliation on celebrity shows are doing it in hopes of reviving collapsed careers. Cynics argue that sports people and associations are guilty of opportunism during this time of crisis. The cynic within suggests that perhaps the status quo is driven by self interest of the major parties who benefit. For some cynics, it is merely the foreign junkets and chance to travel on per diem expenses that draws the attraction of our globalised political classes. Inside the bitterest cynic is always a hopeless idealist. The cynic in her that questioned his motive had long been silenced. Even such a cynic as I can't quite believe the unique blend of dishonesty and incompetence. I admire the idealism and I hate to be a cynic, but these plans never take human motivations into account. Modern cynics would have us believe that this turn of events was about something other than freedom. Cynics may be forgiven for wondering if there is a correlation in some impoverished countries between the desire to be a priest and the desire to eat. It was suggested by some cynics that the real reason for the aggressive campaign was an attempt to gain a greater market share amongst public sector workers. 1.1 A person who questions whether something will happen or whether it is worthwhile. 怀疑论者 the cynics were silenced when the factory opened 当工厂开业时怀疑论者没话说了。 Example sentencesExamples Cynics had predicted the marriage would fail because of the 16-year age difference. The prime minister has the opportunity over these next 10 days to confound the cynics. Everyone, believer and cynic alike, was curious to know what would be said. Cynics predict that Hollywood's fixation on teen girls could fade faster than a high school crush. The result gave the lie to cynics who suggested the result was a foregone conclusion. The story stands in defiance of cynics who don't believe you can find your soul mate by placing an advert on the web. Shares rise when the majority of investors switch from being market cynics to market supporters. Last night came the announcement cynics predicted all along: the couple had separated after 16 months. Ambitious plans to build tunnels under the runway and the River Almond have been attacked by cynics, who believe the project will never be approved. They need to prove their critics, the doomsday predictors and the cynics wrong. He won gold and then confounded the cynics beating the top two Americans within the next couple of weeks. The performance did not quite convince the cynics, nor some of his closest colleagues in the diplomatic service. It was inevitable that the critical and commercial success of the film would rile the cynics. You don't have to be much of a cynic to question whether loggers will really be held to their promises. He said that the expectation and excitement prompted by the Jubilee across the nation has confounded the cynics. For two seasons, the football team have defied the cynics and their critics to regain and retain their status at the top of the league. Those cynics among you who don't believe in fairy-tales will have to think again. Call me a cynic, but I can't believe that a contemporary audience could find this anything other than comic. Synonyms sceptic, doubter, doubting Thomas, scoffer pessimist, prophet of doom, doom merchant, doom and gloom merchant, doomster, doomsayer, doom-monger, doomwatcher, Cassandra 2A member of a school of ancient Greek philosophers founded by Antisthenes, marked by an ostentatious contempt for ease and pleasure. The movement flourished in the 3rd century BC and revived in the 1st century AD. 犬儒主义者（古希腊安提西尼创立的哲学学派的成员，以公开蔑视安逸和享乐著称，公元前3世纪盛行，公元1世纪时复兴） Example sentencesExamples Mack does not say that Jesus was a Cynic, but he does point out that Jesus' form of speech and many of his themes were similar to those of the Cynics. Cynicism was originally the philosophy of a group of ancient Greeks called the Cynics, founded by Antisthenes. But if we think of a Stoic like Chrysippus as deeply attracted to the Cynics ' rejection of what is merely conventional, then we will find it easy to think of Chrysippus as a strict cosmopolitan. Nussbaum offers as a heroic exemplar the figure of Diogenes the Cynic, who was said to have answered anyone who asked what city-state he came from by declaring, ‘I am a citizen of the world.’ The most famous of the Cynics was Diogenes. It is important to note that the first-century Cynics were very diverse in their teachings and behaviour. The most extensive ancient report about the Cynics is found in Diogenes Laertius, Lives of the Philosophers, Book 6, although he is not a reliable source. The allegory was used by the cynic Antisthenes, a contemporary of Plato, and Diogenes the Cynic. The early Christians, drawing on the teachings of the Cynics, Sophists, and Stoics, also told slaves to be submissive and obedient, but recognized an essential inner freedom that transcended external condition. Free speech advocates from Diogenes the Cynic to Frank Zappa have urged libertarian openness, arguing that unfettered expression is both the right and the duty of free people. ‘I am Diogenes the Cynic,’ replied the philosopher. Origin Mid 16th century (in sense 2): from Latin cynicus, from Greek kunikos; probably originally from Kunosarges, the name of a gymnasium where Antisthenes taught, but popularly taken to mean 'doglike, churlish', kuōn, kun-, 'dog' becoming a nickname for a Cynic. The original Cynics were members of a school of ancient Greek philosophers who displayed a contempt for wealth, luxury, and pleasure, believing that such things distracted a person from the quest for self-knowledge. The word comes from Greek kunikos. The Greek word probably derives from Kunosarges, the name of the school where one of their founders, Antisthenes, taught. This is more likely than the traditional story that the word comes from the Greek word for dog, kuōn, and so means ‘doglike or churlish’. See also epicure, stoic Rhymes actinic, clinic, Finnic, Jacobinic, rabbinic Definition of cynic in US English: cynic nounˈsinikˈsɪnɪk 1A person who believes that people are motivated purely by self-interest rather than acting for honorable or unselfish reasons. 愤世嫉俗者；玩世不恭者 some cynics thought that the controversy was all a publicity stunt 有些愤世嫉俗者认为这场争论纯属炒作。 Example sentencesExamples If the cynics are to be believed, the attacks were stage-managed for external consumption. As a closet cynic, I will always question their ulterior motives when they dig into their pockets and support various causes. Some cynics say the people who subject themselves to potential humiliation on celebrity shows are doing it in hopes of reviving collapsed careers. An independent media source is able to be the voice of the cynic in all of us, and to ask the questions we'd all like to have answered. Cynics argue that sports people and associations are guilty of opportunism during this time of crisis. It was suggested by some cynics that the real reason for the aggressive campaign was an attempt to gain a greater market share amongst public sector workers. Even such a cynic as I can't quite believe the unique blend of dishonesty and incompetence. There is no such thing as a free trade deal, only self-interest, the cynic insists. For some cynics, it is merely the foreign junkets and chance to travel on per diem expenses that draws the attraction of our globalised political classes. Modern cynics would have us believe that this turn of events was about something other than freedom. Inside the bitterest cynic is always a hopeless idealist. Only a complete dyed-in-the-wool cynic would suggest the two events could be possibly related. To us ageing cynics Fathers Day is just another materialistic calendar date when people spend hard earned cash on silly presents and cheap cards. Cynics may be forgiven for wondering if there is a correlation in some impoverished countries between the desire to be a priest and the desire to eat. Cynics argue that the space race was merely an expression of cold-war animosity. Cynics have suggested that his confession is an attempt to head off blame. The cynic in her that questioned his motive had long been silenced. The cynic within suggests that perhaps the status quo is driven by self interest of the major parties who benefit. I admire the idealism and I hate to be a cynic, but these plans never take human motivations into account. 1.1 A person who questions whether something will happen or whether it is worthwhile. 怀疑论者 the cynics were silenced when the factory opened 当工厂开业时怀疑论者没话说了。 Example sentencesExamples The story stands in defiance of cynics who don't believe you can find your soul mate by placing an advert on the web. The result gave the lie to cynics who suggested the result was a foregone conclusion. Last night came the announcement cynics predicted all along: the couple had separated after 16 months. The performance did not quite convince the cynics, nor some of his closest colleagues in the diplomatic service. Everyone, believer and cynic alike, was curious to know what would be said. For two seasons, the football team have defied the cynics and their critics to regain and retain their status at the top of the league. He won gold and then confounded the cynics beating the top two Americans within the next couple of weeks. Cynics had predicted the marriage would fail because of the 16-year age difference. Ambitious plans to build tunnels under the runway and the River Almond have been attacked by cynics, who believe the project will never be approved. He said that the expectation and excitement prompted by the Jubilee across the nation has confounded the cynics. You don't have to be much of a cynic to question whether loggers will really be held to their promises. It was inevitable that the critical and commercial success of the film would rile the cynics. Cynics predict that Hollywood's fixation on teen girls could fade faster than a high school crush. Call me a cynic, but I can't believe that a contemporary audience could find this anything other than comic. They need to prove their critics, the doomsday predictors and the cynics wrong. Those cynics among you who don't believe in fairy-tales will have to think again. Shares rise when the majority of investors switch from being market cynics to market supporters. The prime minister has the opportunity over these next 10 days to confound the cynics. Synonyms sceptic, doubter, doubting thomas, scoffer 2A member of a school of ancient Greek philosophers founded by Antisthenes, marked by an ostentatious contempt for ease and pleasure. The movement flourished in the 3rd century BC and revived in the 1st century AD. 犬儒主义者（古希腊安提西尼创立的哲学学派的成员，以公开蔑视安逸和享乐著称，公元前3世纪盛行，公元1世纪时复兴） Example sentencesExamples The most extensive ancient report about the Cynics is found in Diogenes Laertius, Lives of the Philosophers, Book 6, although he is not a reliable source. The early Christians, drawing on the teachings of the Cynics, Sophists, and Stoics, also told slaves to be submissive and obedient, but recognized an essential inner freedom that transcended external condition. Cynicism was originally the philosophy of a group of ancient Greeks called the Cynics, founded by Antisthenes. The allegory was used by the cynic Antisthenes, a contemporary of Plato, and Diogenes the Cynic. But if we think of a Stoic like Chrysippus as deeply attracted to the Cynics ' rejection of what is merely conventional, then we will find it easy to think of Chrysippus as a strict cosmopolitan. It is important to note that the first-century Cynics were very diverse in their teachings and behaviour. Mack does not say that Jesus was a Cynic, but he does point out that Jesus' form of speech and many of his themes were similar to those of the Cynics. Free speech advocates from Diogenes the Cynic to Frank Zappa have urged libertarian openness, arguing that unfettered expression is both the right and the duty of free people. ‘I am Diogenes the Cynic,’ replied the philosopher. The most famous of the Cynics was Diogenes. Nussbaum offers as a heroic exemplar the figure of Diogenes the Cynic, who was said to have answered anyone who asked what city-state he came from by declaring, ‘I am a citizen of the world.’ Origin Mid 16th century (in cynic (sense 2)): from Latin cynicus, from Greek kunikos; probably originally from Kunosarges, the name of a gymnasium where Antisthenes taught, but popularly taken to mean ‘doglike, churlish’, kuōn, kun-, ‘dog’ becoming a nickname for a Cynic.
随便看	make happy make hard work of make hard work of make harmless make harmonious make haste make haste make-hawk make hay make hay make hay (while the sun shines) make hay while the sun shines make hay (while the sun shines) make hazy make head make head or tail of make head or tail of make headway make headway make healthy make heavy weather make heavy weather of make heavy weather of make helpless make higher