CYNICAL
cynical, misanthropic, misanthropical
(adjective) believing the worst of human nature and motives; having a sneering disbelief in e.g. selflessness of others
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Adjective
Cynical (not comparable)
Of or relating to the Cynics, 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.
Anagrams
• calycin
Etymology
Adjective
cynical (comparative more cynical, superlative most cynical)
Of or relating to the belief that human actions are motivated only or primarily by base desires or selfishness.
Skeptical of the integrity, sincerity, or motives of others.
Bitterly or jadedly distrustful or contemptuous; mocking.
Showing contempt for accepted moral standards by one's actions.
(medicine, rare) Like the actions of a snarling dog, especially in reference to facial nerve paralysis.
Anagrams
• calycin
Source: Wiktionary
Cyn"ic (sn"k), Cyn"ic*al (--kal), a. Etym: [L. cynicus of the sect of
Cynics, fr. Gr. 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; disbelieving in the reality of any human purposes which
are not suggested or directed by self-interest or self-indulgence;
as, a cynical man who scoffs at pretensions of integrity;
characterized by such opinions; as, cynical views of human nature.
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.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition