Dictionary
Find
in
Dictionary
Thesaurus
Translations

Click to move up the list of words
cyme
cymene
cymophane
cymose
Cymric
Cymru
Cynic
cynic
cynical
Cynicism
cynicism
cynosure
Cynthia
CYO
cypher
cypherpunk
Cypress
Click to move down the list of words
Print Preview
See pronunciation key
Search for "cynical" in all of MSN Encarta
E-mail this entry
Blog about this entry on MSN Spaces
Download the MSN Encarta Right-Click Dictionary

cynical

cyn·i·cal [ sínnik'l ]


adjective 
Definition:
 
1. distrustful of human nature: doubting or contemptuous of human nature or the motives, goodness, or sincerity of others
Many people have developed a cynical distrust of politicians.

2. sarcastic: mocking, scornful, or sneering
They were made the butt of many cynical jokes.


cyn·i·cal·ly adverb
cyn·i·cal·ness noun
Advertisement

Also on Encarta
Englishtown: Learn English online
Our Partners
Also on MSN
Encarta Message Boards (© Rubberball/Jupiterimages)
MSN Shopping
Encarta RSS Feeds
© 2008 Microsoft