Dictionary.net

Alt. of Cynical

One of a sect or school of philosophers founded by Antisthenes, and of whom Diogenes was a disciple. The first Cynics were noted for austere lives and their scorn for social customs and current philosophical opinions. Hence the term Cynic symbolized, in the popular judgment, moroseness, and contempt for the views of others.

One who holds views resembling those of the Cynics; a snarler; a misanthrope; particularly, a person who believes that human conduct is directed, either consciously or unconsciously, wholly by self-interest or self-indulgence, and that appearances to the contrary are superficial and untrustworthy.

One whose opinion it is that self-interest is the sole motive behind the actions of human beings; a sarcastic, surly person.

One of a sect of ancient philosophers, so called from their morose and contemptuous views: a morose man: a snarler.

A cynical person; one of an ancient philosophical sect.

Cynicism.

One of a sect of Greek philosophers who taught contempt for pleasure, intellectual or sensual.

A sneering, captious person; a misanthrope; pessimist.

n. One of the school of ancient philosophers, founded by Diogenes, who lived in a tub, and taught contempt of riches, pleasures, and the arts of refined life;—a misanthrope.