cynical adjective - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage notes | Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary at OxfordLearnersDictionaries.com

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Definition of cynical adjective from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

cynical

adjective

/ˈsɪnɪkl/

/ˈsɪnɪkl/

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believing that people only do things to help themselves rather than for good or honest reasons
- a cynical view/smile
- cynical about something Do you have to be so cynical about everything?
Extra Examples
- his deeply cynical attitude
- Her lips curled into a cynical smile.
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
verbs
- be
- feel
- seem
- …
adverb
- extremely
- fairly
- very
- …
preposition
- about
See full entry
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cynical (about something) not believing that something good will happen or that something is important
- I'm a bit cynical about the benefits of the plan.
- Her experiences with men have made her thoroughly cynical about love.
- I'm a little cynical about her motives.
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
verbs
- be
- feel
- seem
- …
adverb
- extremely
- fairly
- very
- …
preposition
- about
See full entry
not caring that something might hurt other people, if there is some advantage for you
- a cynical disregard for the safety of others
- a deliberate and cynical foul
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
verbs
- be
- feel
- seem
- …
adverb
- extremely
- fairly
- very
- …
preposition
- about
See full entry

See cynical in the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary

Check pronunciation: cynical

Nearby words

noun

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C1

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