cynic

views updated

cyn·ic / ˈsinik/ • n. 1. a person who believes that people are motivated purely by self-interest rather than acting for honorable or unselfish reasons. ∎  a person who questions whether something will happen or whether it is worthwhile.2. (Cynic) a member of a school of ancient Greek philosophers founded by Antisthenes, marked by an ostentatious contempt for ease and pleasure.DERIVATIVES: cyn·i·cism / ˈsinəˌsizəm/ n.

More From encyclopedia.com