1. an attitude of scornful or jaded negativity, especially a general distrust of the integrity or professed motives of others: the public cynicism aroused by governmental scandals.
2. A scornfully or jadedly negative comment or act: "she arrived at a philosophy of her own, all made up of her private notations and cynicisms” ( henry james).
3. the beliefs of the ancient cynics.

1. a distrustful attitude
2. an emotion of jaded negativity, or a general distrust of the integrity or professed motives of other people. cynicism can manifest itself by frustration, disillusionment and distrust in regard to organizations, authorities and other aspects of society, often due to previous bad experience. cynics often view others as motivated solely by disguised self-interest.
3. a skeptical, scornful or pessimistic comment or act

1. the doctrine of the cynics; the quality of being cynical; the mental state, opinions, or conduct, of a cynic; morose and contemptuous views and opinions.

1. the body of doctrine inculcated and practised by the cynics; indifference to pleasure; stoicism pushed to austerity, asceticism, or acerbity.
2. the character or state of being cynical; cynicalness.

1. a cynical feeling of distrust