🇬🇧🇨🇳 cynical - 愤世嫉俗的 : English Lesson

Meaning of "cynical" ("愤世嫉俗的"), detailed definition, and a short video lesson below.

If someone is cynical, it means they don’t really believe people are being kind or honest; they think people only do nice things to get something for themselves, like a reward, attention, or to look good.

Watch and listen to this English flashcard to understand the word in more detail, with an easy example sentence.

My cynical cat only sits on my lap when I open a can of tuna, then immediately unsubscribes from my feelings.

The cynical princess heard “true love’s kiss” and said, “He probably just wants half the kingdom and the wi-fi password.”

The cynical squirrel buried his nuts and then moved them, saying, “I don’t trust future-me not to steal them.”

A cynical snowman watched the weather forecast and groaned, “They say ‘sunny and warm’ like it’s good news.”

When the principal announced “Free pizza day,” the cynical student checked the calendar for April Fool’s Day three times.

Anna watched a man hand a toy to a child on the bus. She felt cynical; every move looked staged. Her cynical friend, always cynical, whispered, "He wants a photo." Anna gave a cynical smile and a small nod. The child hugged the toy. Anna felt less cynical, then smiled for real.

This word is at the C1 level, which means it’s part of advanced English. It’s used in sophisticated conversations, professional settings, and academic discussions. Words at this level help you express yourself fluently and precisely in nuanced situations.

Expanding your English vocabulary is one of the best ways to improve your pronunciation, spelling, and confidence in English. Watch the video above to memorize the word, understand its meaning, and see example sentences in action. Discover related words to grow your vocabulary naturally. Add words to your playlist for stress-free, effective learning—anytime, anywhere! Watch, learn, repeat.