cynical

cynical — adjective

1. tending to believe the worst about people — that they act only for their own ben

1.形容詞B2
釋義

tending to believe the worst about people — that they act only for their own benefit and do not truly care about others.

例句

After three failed campaigns, Obi became cynical about any promise that politicians made.

cynical about [noun/pronoun]

Tanvi's cynical view of tech firms kept her from believing their claims about helping society.

cynical view of [something]

同義詞
  • distrustful

    less absolute; suggests lack of trust in a specific situation rather than a worldview

  • suspicious

    implies having doubts about someone's honesty without the general judgment of all people

  • jaded

    focuses on being tired or bored because of too much experience, which can lead to cynicism

反義詞
  • trusting

    willing to believe that others are honest and sincere

  • idealistic

    believing that people can act for noble, unselfish reasons

文法句型

cynical about + noun/-ing

cynical + noun

用法筆記

Frequently takes a prepositional phrase with about to specify the target of distrust. Subject is usually a person who has had repeated disappointments.

常見錯誤

❌The scientist was cynical about the data and asked for more tests.
✅The scientist was skeptical about the data and asked for more tests.
💡Cynical implies distrust of motives, not doubt about facts or evidence.
❌She gave a cynical smile when the joke was funny.
✅She gave a sarcastic smile when the joke was funny.
💡Cynical relates to distrust of sincerity, not to mocking or ironic humor.

2. done or said with the deliberate purpose of gaining an advantage for yourself, w

2.形容詞C1
釋義

done or said with the deliberate purpose of gaining an advantage for yourself, without caring if other people get hurt or deceived in the process.

例句

The company made a cynical decision to cancel healthcare benefits right before the winter holidays.

cynical decision to + infinitive

Lucía called the politician's visit a cynical attempt to win votes from suffering people.

cynical attempt to + infinitive

同義詞
  • calculating

    emphasizes careful planning for personal gain, often without the ruthless edge

  • exploitative

    specifically about taking unfair advantage of others' vulnerability

  • manipulative

    focuses on controlling or influencing others for your own purposes

反義詞
  • selfless

    putting others' needs ahead of your own advantage

  • genuine

    sincere and without hidden motives

文法句型

cynical + noun (use / attempt / exploitation / appeal)

it is cynical to + infinitive

用法筆記

This sense is attributive — the adjective nearly always appears before a noun (cynical attempt, cynical ploy, cynical exploitation). The focus is on the action being calculated and ruthless, not on any belief.

常見錯誤

❌He was cynical to his employees about their efforts.
✅He made a cynical decision that hurt his employees.
💡This sense modifies actions and decisions, not people's attitudes toward others.

3. deliberately rough or unfair when playing a sport, showing no respect for the op

3.形容詞C1
釋義

deliberately rough or unfair when playing a sport, showing no respect for the opponent's safety or the rules of the game.

例句

Théo was sent off for a cynical foul that injured the opposing goalkeeper.

cynical foul

The referee gave a red card for a cynical tackle that nearly broke Lakan's leg.

cynical tackle

同義詞
  • unsportsmanlike

    broader term covering any behavior that violates fair play

  • dirty

    informal; describes rough, illegal play with intent to harm

  • deliberate

    less negative; simply means intentional, not necessarily unfair

反義詞
  • fair

    playing by the rules and respecting the opponent

  • clean

    legal and safe play without harmful intent

文法句型

cynical + noun (foul / tackle / challenge)

用法筆記

Used mainly in football (soccer) and rugby commentary in British English. Describes a deliberate action intended to stop an opponent by any means, often drawing a yellow or red card.