Words / B2

SIN-is-iz-uh-m/ˈsɪnɪsɪzəm/

Cynicism is the belief that people are motivated only by self-interest; a cynical attitude (usually uncountable): public cynicism; cynicism about. Cynical is the adjective (already in the dictionary); sarcasm is a sharp tone, not the same. Cynicism about turnout still needs a named poll. Mix-up: sarcasm / stoicism. Do not write cynicism for a one-off joke.

Meaning

The belief that people are motivated only by self-interest; a cynical attitude (usually uncountable).

Examples

• “Cynicism about turnout still needs a named poll, the citizenship source said.”
• “Sarcasm is a tone; cynicism is a distrust of motives, which is the distinction in the language paper.”

Good to know

cynicism about / towards; public cynicism. Adjective: cynical. Trap: sarcasm. Citizenship, news, and literature. Distrust of people’s motives, not a punchline.

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