cynical
基本释义
[adjective] believing that people are motivated by self-interest; distrustful of human sincerity or integrity
[形容词] 认为人们是受私利驱使的；不相信人的真诚或正直的
深入解读
Cynical 一词源自古希腊哲学流派犬儒主义（Cynicism）。该主义主张以追求普遍的善为人生之目的，为此必须抛弃一切物质享受和感官快乐。之所以称其为“犬儒”，一是由于其创始人是在雅典一个名叫“快犬”的运动场讲学；二是由于其信徒生活艰难，在大街上讲学时衣食简陋，随遇而安，形同乞丐， 被人讥为犬。
虽然早期的犬儒主义者是根据自身的道德原则去蔑视世俗的观念，但后期的犬儒主义者尽管依旧蔑视世俗的观念，但却丧失了作为准绳的道德原则，形成了一种玩世不恭的愤世嫉俗。
因此到了17世纪60年代后，cynical 就被用来形容人“愤世嫉俗的、不信世间有真诚善意的”以及对人性或动机“怀疑的、悲观的”，也就是认为人们都是受私利或不道德的欲望驱使的，不相信人类真有所谓诚实正直、热情善良等高尚品质，比如：
- 流行音乐唱片可能会是冷漠而且愤世嫉俗的。
Pop records can be crass and cynical.
这样的愤世嫉俗者常常通过讽刺、冷笑（sneer）、挑剔以及贬低他人动机等方式来表达自己的不满。所以 cynical 就进一步用来形容态度、笑容、评论等“冷嘲热讽的、挑剔挖苦的、乖戾的”，比如：
- 那个专家对男人的态度太过偏激。
The pundit has a pretty cynical view of men.
常言道，你相信什么就会成为什么。那么反过来 cynical 也可以用来表示“见利忘义的、损人利己的、只顾自己不顾他人的”甚至是“没有心肠的、无所顾忌的”，主要指只关心自己的利益，并且通常为了实现这些利益而忽略公认的或适当的标准，比如：
- 作这样的营销炒作就是耍弄老年人。
Marketing hype like this is a cynical manipulation of the elderly. - 许多自私自利的经理视新手员工如炮灰。
Many cynical managers see novice employees as cannon fodder.
好书例句
What was that old saying, that cynical saying? “The husband is always the last to find out.”
那句古话怎么说的，那句嘲弄人的古话？“老婆都跑了，丈夫最后才知道。”
出自美国作家玛格丽特·米切尔（Margaret Mitchell）创作的长篇小说《飘》（Gone with the Wind）。
外刊例句
- Bosses end up confused and cynical, with some lurching from one strategy to another and others concluding that they never want to hear the word “strategy” again.
最后，老板们晕头转向，疑窦丛生。有些在各种战略之间游移不定，另一些则撂下话来，说再也不愿听到“战略”一词。
——《经济学人》 - Cynical, cool, Lennon was the eye of sanity in the Beatlemania hurricane.
列侬是愤世嫉俗又很冷静的那种人，在甲壳虫热的飓风中，他是平静的飓风眼。
——《时代周刊》
常见短语
- Cynical view (愤世嫉俗的观点) – A negative or skeptical perspective on things.
- Example: He has a cynical view of human nature, believing that people are primarily motivated by self-interest.
- Cynical attitude (愤世嫉俗的态度) – A skeptical or distrustful stance towards others or life in general.
- Example: Her cynical attitude often alienates people and makes it difficult for her to build relationships.
- Cynical remark (愤世嫉俗的评论) – A sarcastic or mocking comment expressing doubt or disbelief.
- Example: He couldn’t help but make a cynical remark about the politician’s empty promises.
- Cynical sense of humor (愤世嫉俗的幽默感) – A humor that is characterized by irony, skepticism, or mockery.
- Example: His cynical sense of humor often leaves others feeling uncomfortable or offended.
- Cynical outlook (愤世嫉俗的观点) – A pessimistic or distrustful perspective on life or the future.
- Example: After facing numerous disappointments, she developed a cynical outlook on relationships.
- Cynical behavior (愤世嫉俗的行为) – Actions or conduct that reflects a lack of trust, belief, or sincerity.
- Example: His cynical behavior towards authority figures often gets him into trouble.
- Cynical skepticism (愤世嫉俗的怀疑态度) – A skeptical or doubtful attitude towards the motives or intentions of others.
- Example: The journalist approached the story with a cynical skepticism, questioning every statement.
- Cynical disbelief (愤世嫉俗的怀疑) – A state of doubt or disbelief marked by cynicism.
- Example: He reacted to the news with cynical disbelief, assuming there must be hidden motives behind it.
- Cynical resignation (愤世嫉俗的顺从) – A feeling of acceptance or surrender to a negative or bleak outlook.
- Example: After years of setbacks, he reached a point of cynical resignation, no longer expecting positive outcomes.
- Cynical perspective (愤世嫉俗的观点) – A viewpoint that is distrustful, skeptical, or disillusioned.
- Example: Her cynical perspective on politics stems from witnessing years of corruption and broken promises.
- Cynical laughter (愤世嫉俗的笑声) – A sarcastic or bitter laughter expressing cynicism or irony.
- Example: The audience responded with cynical laughter when the politician made yet another empty promise.
- Cynical commentary (愤世嫉俗的评论) – Critical or mocking remarks that reflect a cynical viewpoint.
- Example: The comedian’s cynical commentary on social issues drew both laughter and controversy.
- Cynical distrust (愤世嫉俗的不信任) – A deep-seated lack of trust or faith in others’ intentions or motives.
- Example: Her cynical distrust prevents her from forming meaningful connections with people.
- Cynical resignation to fate (愤世嫉俗地顺从命运) – Accepting a negative outcome or fate without hope or optimism.
- Example: He faced his failures with a cynical resignation to fate, believing that nothing could change his circumstances.
- Cynical commentary on society (对社会的愤世嫉俗评论) – Critical or satirical remarks that highlight flaws or hypocrisy in society.
- Example: The author’s novel offers a cynical commentary on society’s obsession with wealth and status.
- Cynical distrust of authority (对权威的愤世嫉俗不信任) – A deep skepticism or lack of trust in those in positions of power.
- Example: His cynical distrust of authority figures led him to question every decision made by the government.
- Cynical disillusionment (愤世嫉俗的幻灭) – A feeling of disappointment or disenchantment resulting from shattered beliefs or ideals.
- Example: After witnessing corruption firsthand, she experienced a cynical disillusionment with the justice system.
同近义词
sceptical: not easily convinced; having doubts or reservations
pessimistic: tending to see the worst aspect of things or believe that the worst will happen
misanthropic: disliking humankind and avoiding human society
