Zyniker
cynic
The German word "Zyniker" is a noun that translates to "cynic" in English. It is derived from "Zynismus," which refers to cynicism—the belief that people are primarily motivated by self-interest and skepticism toward the sincerity of others' motives.
Similar words in German include "Skeptiker" (skeptic) and "Pessimist" (pessimist).
The difference between "Zyniker" and these similar words lies in their connotations and focus:
- A "Zyniker" typically possesses a more pronounced disdain and distrust of human sincerity and social norms compared to a "Skeptiker," who may simply doubt claims without a necessarily negative or sarcastic viewpoint.
- A "Pessimist" specifically leans toward expecting bad outcomes, while a "Zyniker" may not always harbor such thoughts but rather adopts a critical or dismissive attitude towards ideals like trust or hope.
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Examples
Der Vortrag wurde von einem Zyniker gehalten.noun
The lecture was given by a cynic.
Manche Leute halten sich für Zyniker.noun
Some people consider themselves cynics.
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