Cynical meaning: Define cynical

Define cynical . cynical synonyms, cynical pronunciation, cynical translation, English dictionary definition of cynical . adj. 1. Believing or showing the belief that people are motivated chiefly by base or selfish concerns; skeptical of the motives of others: a cynical ... CYNICAL meaning : 1. believing that people are only interested in themselves and are not sincere: 2. used to say…. Learn more. Cynical means distrustful, contemptuous, or sarcastic of people's motives or actions. It comes from the word cynic, which refers to a philosophical school that rejected conventional values and morality. CYNICAL meaning : 1 : believing that people are generally selfish and dishonest often + about; 2 : selfish and dishonest in a way that shows no concern about treating other people fairly