Urban Dictionary Merch
Your favorite words on things you can wear, drink from, read, or give to a friend.
The Urban Dictionary Store sells gifts you’ll have to explain.
Cynicism
Cynicism; (noun); Derived from the Greek word for dog, it first described a current of Ancient Greek philosophy. The cynic ringleader Diogenes of Sinope was described as "Socrates gone mad". The cynics pursued The Good without minding any other values. This meant they could jerk of at dinner tables, shit in public and live in barrells. Diogenes was said to live '"like a dog", hence the name, cynicism.
Nowadays, cynicism means an attitude in life that is conscious about morally bad or evil acts, but makes a joke out of them or commits them anyway. The cynic is blasé, he thinks everything is stupid or redundant and tends to sigh a lot.
Cynicism is said to be linked to hypocrisy. The hypocrite wants to convince other people of the fact that he is doing the right thing, whereas he knows he is not. The cynic doesn't want to convince anybody. He is honest to the extreme. His friends tend to describe him as dark, evil, terribly offensive or hilariously funny.
Nowadays, cynicism means an attitude in life that is conscious about morally bad or evil acts, but makes a joke out of them or commits them anyway. The cynic is blasé, he thinks everything is stupid or redundant and tends to sigh a lot.
Cynicism is said to be linked to hypocrisy. The hypocrite wants to convince other people of the fact that he is doing the right thing, whereas he knows he is not. The cynic doesn't want to convince anybody. He is honest to the extreme. His friends tend to describe him as dark, evil, terribly offensive or hilariously funny.
Cynicism.
"Yesterday my aunt died. Well, at least we got free coffee."
"Global poverty is a real problem. Then again, so are pigeons."
"Women should have the right to vote for any man they want to surpress them."
"Yesterday my girlfriend told me she was pregnant. So I pushed her of the stairs. She fell down and bled all over the floor. Now I have to get a new rug. Fuck my life."
"Yesterday my aunt died. Well, at least we got free coffee."
"Global poverty is a real problem. Then again, so are pigeons."
"Women should have the right to vote for any man they want to surpress them."
"Yesterday my girlfriend told me she was pregnant. So I pushed her of the stairs. She fell down and bled all over the floor. Now I have to get a new rug. Fuck my life."
Cynicism by De laatste cynicus May 14, 2010
Related Words
Teenage cynicism
1) Attempting to act detached and “cool” in a way taught to the kids by MTV-affiliated celebrities.
2) A condition often seen among adolescent humans. It typically arises when a individual learns to perceive herself in a objective and rational third-person perspective, but due to her inexperience, fails to appreciate the irony of what existentialist philosophers have coined "The Absurd". The absurd human condition; the understanding of how our lives, on a cosmic scale, are futile and unimportant struggles, yet how we are unable free ourselves from treating our lives with the greatest concern.
Failing to appreciate the irony of her absurd existence, the aspiring teenage cynic then becomes obsessed with damasking the meaningfulness of her own life and the lives of others. This, she believes, will help her reach a more fundamental understanding of something which is somehow more significant and objective than that of her present life. For some people extremely prone to melodrama the condition ends in suicide.
Because the individual believes in the "truth" brought on by stripping away sentimental values culture have taught us to attach to the world, she is often perceived outwardly as cynical. This condition however should not be associated with philosophical cynicism or the kind of cynicism advocated by the likes of (the myth of) Aesop, Oscar Wilde or Dr. Samuel Johnson. The world will often treat the teenage cynic with disdain, confusing her condition with depression or apathy. Trying to solve the problem by offering entertainment of various types, the problem may intensify as the teenage cynic often will be unable to appreciate the entertainment offered, instead deeming it superficial.
2) A condition often seen among adolescent humans. It typically arises when a individual learns to perceive herself in a objective and rational third-person perspective, but due to her inexperience, fails to appreciate the irony of what existentialist philosophers have coined "The Absurd". The absurd human condition; the understanding of how our lives, on a cosmic scale, are futile and unimportant struggles, yet how we are unable free ourselves from treating our lives with the greatest concern.
Failing to appreciate the irony of her absurd existence, the aspiring teenage cynic then becomes obsessed with damasking the meaningfulness of her own life and the lives of others. This, she believes, will help her reach a more fundamental understanding of something which is somehow more significant and objective than that of her present life. For some people extremely prone to melodrama the condition ends in suicide.
Because the individual believes in the "truth" brought on by stripping away sentimental values culture have taught us to attach to the world, she is often perceived outwardly as cynical. This condition however should not be associated with philosophical cynicism or the kind of cynicism advocated by the likes of (the myth of) Aesop, Oscar Wilde or Dr. Samuel Johnson. The world will often treat the teenage cynic with disdain, confusing her condition with depression or apathy. Trying to solve the problem by offering entertainment of various types, the problem may intensify as the teenage cynic often will be unable to appreciate the entertainment offered, instead deeming it superficial.
Statements someone affected by teenage cynicism would typically say:
Teenage cynic 1: To me it's depressing to think about the fact that life is fundamentally without objective meaning and that one day we will all die (and the universe will end).
Teenage cynic 2: Men running around on a field, competing against each other, trying to kick a ball made out of dead skin in opposite directions. Soccer is for retards.
Teenage cynic 1: To me it's depressing to think about the fact that life is fundamentally without objective meaning and that one day we will all die (and the universe will end).
Teenage cynic 2: Men running around on a field, competing against each other, trying to kick a ball made out of dead skin in opposite directions. Soccer is for retards.
Teenage cynicism by mushytoast February 18, 2009
media-government-cynicism-complex
The unwitting or intentional partnership between corporate media and the government that works to saturate and bombard the citizenry with bad news and terror. The goal is to elevate the willful ignorance and acceptance of bad policy, divisive tactics, dehumanization or marginalized members of society and financial regulations that favour the wealthy.
The world is a beautiful place full of good people. If you ignorantly and blissfully consume the "media-government-cynicism-complex" of course you will feel like the world is going to hell in a hand basket. You are missing out and wasting opportunity.
media-government-cynicism-complex by fundybrewer September 28, 2017
Volume Cynicism
A condition that forces the driver or owner of the car to adjust and control the volume after any manipulation of the dial by their passenger, despite the volume level actually being changed or not. This is caused by a serious distrust of others and their ability to decide the best volume level for their sound system and chosen track.
Volume Cynicism by PloskJ January 9, 2012
Cynicism
To be a cynical asshole. Mainly thinking of everything as "shit" or "shitty" even if only a little bit of that thing was shown. It also means to insult anyone that disagrees with you. Even if the person was being very respectful about it.
Basically a troll.
Basically a troll.
I saw a guy playing minecraft. That game looks like shit.
Wii is a non-modern fece-like box of turds!
HARRY POTTER SUCKS.
Dude you have serious cynicism.
Someone placing opinion: I do think this thing is of unsubstancial quality.
Someone diagreeing: I don't really agree with your state-
THEN U SUK.
Wii is a non-modern fece-like box of turds!
HARRY POTTER SUCKS.
Dude you have serious cynicism.
Someone placing opinion: I do think this thing is of unsubstancial quality.
Someone diagreeing: I don't really agree with your state-
THEN U SUK.
Cynicism by Random Shenanigans June 29, 2011
Cynicism
The only thing you've managed to flip around is Cynicism. The philosophy that materialism is to be rejected and the wealthy, successful, and people in positions of power are to be mocked and ridiculed.
More from Urban Dictionary
Ratfucker
Brought to public attention by Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein in the book on the fall of Richard Nixon, All The President’s Men, ratfucker was Nixon’s term for a political operative who sows chaos among opponents; an agent provocateur. It is thought to have originated among campus political rivalries at USC, and seems to have some usage in the US military.
Along with Nixon’s other ratfuckers, Roger Stone caused fights at otherwise peaceful Democratic Party protests to generate a false narrative that the Democrats were violent and dangerous.
Ratfucker by Ricky Ramjet November 2, 2017
Word of the Day on November 2, 2026
countrypolitan
Term used to describe someone who is a mix of both rural (country) and urban (metropolitan) lifestyles/upbringings. He/she is typically equally comfortable in both settings and is able to seamlessly slip back and forth between the two, appreciating the characteristics of each.
That ol' gal of mine drives the 12 lane freeway during the week and a John Deere on the weekends. She likes opra and the Grand Ol' Opry. I love them countrypolitan women.
countrypolitan by MOChick November 7, 2006
Word of the Day on November 1, 2026
Witch Bath
A bath consisting of a variety of slats, oils, soaps or any other added ingredients such as fruits, milks, herbs or any other spices for health or beautifying benifits.
Witch Bath by carnieboy30 October 26, 2020
Word of the Day on October 31, 2026
proper lad
proper lad by its_ya_boi_chips_ahoy May 20, 2018
Word of the Day on October 29, 2026