cynical
Adjective
Medium difficulty
What does “cynical” mean?
adjective.believing that people are motivated by self-interest; distrustful of human sincerity or integrity.
SAT Usage
the term is often found in passages discussing themes of trust, human motivation, or societal critique. It emphasizes a deep skepticism about people's intentions, suggesting a worldview that is not just doubtful but also potentially jaded, contrasting with terms like "skeptical," which may imply a more neutral questioning attitude without the same level of disillusionment.
Common Confusions
Cynical implies a deep distrust of people's motives, while skeptical usually suggests a questioning attitude that does not necessarily assume ill intentions.
Do not choose cynical if the context emphasizes idealism or trust in others rather than believing that people are motivated by self-interest and being distrustful of human sincerity or integrity.
Example Sentences
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He grew cynical after years of broken political promises.