cynical

 
Pronunciation: /ˈsɪnɪk(ə)l/

adjective

  • 1believing that people are motivated purely by self-interest; distrustful of human sincerity or integrity: he was brutally cynical and hardened to every sob story under the sun
  • doubtful as to whether something will happen or whether it is worthwhile: most residents are cynical about efforts to clean mobsters out of their city
  • contemptuous; mocking: he gave a cynical laugh
  • 2concerned only with one’s own interests and typically disregarding accepted standards in order to achieve them: a cynical manipulation of public opinion

Derivatives

cynically

adverb