Cynicism
/ˈsɪn.ɪ.sɪ.zəm/noun
An attitude of distrust toward human motives and sincerity.
Did you know?The ancient Cynics were named with a word tied to dogs, and later writers used that “dog” image to frame them as shameless, biting critics of convention.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
kynikós
“dog-like; of the Cynic philosophers”
Ancient Greek
Greek
Kynikós
“a Cynic philosopher, associated with Antisthenes and Diogenes”
Late Latin
Latin
cynicus
“Cynic philosopher”
Middle French
French
cynique
“Cynic; doggedly severe or skeptical”
16th Century
English
cynic
“a follower of Cynic philosophy; later, a sneering doubter”
17th Century
English
cynicism
“the quality or attitude of a cynic; skeptical distrust of sincerity”