Belonging to the sect of philosophers called cynics; having the qualities of a cynic; pertaining to, or resembling, the doctrines of the cynics
If you describe someone as cynical, you mean they believe that people always act selfishly. his cynical view of the world. idealistic + cynically cyni·cal·ly As one former customer said cynically, `He's probably pocketed the difference!'
believing the worst of human nature and motives; having a sneering disbelief in e
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
If you are cynical about something, you do not believe that it can be successful or that the people involved are honest. It's hard not to be cynical about reform