cynical
Sneering at sincerity
Cynical, an adjective, is used to characterize people who are pessimistic or who are ready to believe the worst about others.
Opinions of such people are also characterized with cynical: His cynical view of human nature is evident in all of his films.
If you are cynical about someone’s motives or actions, you think they have a self-serving agenda, despite what they may say.
If you are cynical about something abstract—politics, for example—you don’t expect good results.
Lacking faith in others
- suspiciousInclined to distrust
- doubtfulUncertain of truth
- skepticalInclined to question claims
- incredulousExpressing unwillingness to believe
wary · leery · questioning · dubious · mistrustful · disbelieving · unconvinced · guarded
Dulled by overindulgence
- disillusionedFreed from false beliefs
- disenchantedLost one's illusions
- hopelessBeyond possibility of success
- nihilisticRejecting meaningful existence
fatalistic · defeatist · gloomy · bleak · misanthropic · bitter · despairing · negative
Mockingly insincere in tone
- sardonicGrimly mocking
- ironicExpressing contrary meaning
- sneeringExpressing scorn facially
- scornfulShowing open contempt
derisive · mocking · satirical · scathing · caustic · biting · cutting · acerbic
Skilled at controlling others
- self-servingBenefiting oneself primarily
- opportunisticExploiting circumstances for gain
- mercenarySoldier fighting for pay
- exploitativeUnfairly using others' vulnerabilities
scheming · conniving · selfish · unscrupulous · ruthless · cold-blooded · Machiavellian · pragmatic
distrustful
Lacking faith in others
- suspiciousInclined to distrust
- doubtfulUncertain of truth
- skepticalInclined to question claims
incredulous · wary · leery · questioning · dubious · mistrustful · disbelieving · unconvinced · guarded · cautious
jaded
Dulled by overindulgence
- disillusionedFreed from false beliefs
- disenchantedLost one's illusions
- hopelessBeyond possibility of success
nihilistic · fatalistic · defeatist · gloomy · bleak · misanthropic · bitter · despairing · negative · grim
sarcastic
Mockingly insincere in tone
scornful · derisive · mocking · satirical · scathing · caustic · biting · cutting · acerbic · mordant
manipulative
Skilled at controlling others
- self-servingBenefiting oneself primarily
- opportunisticExploiting circumstances for gain
- mercenarySoldier fighting for pay
exploitative · scheming · conniving · selfish · unscrupulous · ruthless · cold-blooded · Machiavellian · pragmatic · expedient
- attitudespositive, negative, ambition, apathy, curiosity
- negative tonesangry, bitter, hostile, resentful, gloomy
- Byronic Herobrooding, tormented, mysterious, rebellious, passionate
- doubtdoubt, doubts, doubting, doubtful, skepticism
- mindsetsgrowth mindset, fixed mindset, mindset, abundance mindset, scarcity mindset
- suspiciondistrust, suspicion, mistrust, suspiciousness, doubt
cynicaltrusting
Inclined to believe others
trustful · believing · uncynical · unsuspicious · unsuspecting
cynicaloptimistic
Expecting positive results
hopeful · idealistic · positive · rose-colored · starry-eyed
- cynical humorJokes expressing distrust