cynics

Meanings

• noun

  A person who believes that people are motivated purely by self-interest; a skeptical, critical, and pessimistic person.

  - "John is a cynic who always expects the worst."
  - "The cynics of ancient Greece were known for their pessimistic views on life."

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Rhymes

Words rhyming with cynics
dynamics , hymns , synapses

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Variants

List of all variants of cynics that leads to same result
cynic , cynics

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Etymology

origin and the way in which meanings have changed throughout history.

From the Ancient Greek word 'kynikos', meaning 'dog-like' or 'dog-headed'. The term was originally used to describe the Cynic philosophers of ancient Greece, who lived an ascetic lifestyle and were known for their criticism of society and its values.

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Trivia

Any details, considerations, events or pieces of information regarding the word

1. The Cynics were known for their eccentric behavior, including living in jars and eating only what they could find in the wild.

2. The philosopher Diogenes, who is often considered the founder of Cynicism, is said to have lived in a barrel and used a hollowed-out melon as a bowl.

3. The Cynics were also known for their criticism of the wealthy and powerful, and some were even put on trial for their beliefs.

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Related Concepts

informations on related concepts or terms closely associated with the word. Discuss semantic fields or domains that the word belongs to

1. Stoicism: Stoicism was a philosophical school that originated in ancient Greece around the same time as Cynicism. While the Cynics rejected conventional morality, the Stoics believed in living in accordance with the natural order of things, known as 'Logos'. Both philosophies had a significant influence on Western thought.

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Culture

Any cultural, historical, or symbolic significance of the word. Explore how the word has been used in literature, art, music, or other forms of expression.

The Cynics were a philosophical school of thought that originated in ancient Greece around the 4th century BC. They were known for their rejection of conventional morality and their belief in living a simple, self-sufficient life in harmony with nature. Cynic philosophy had a significant influence on Western thought and continues to be studied and discussed in philosophy, literature, and art.

How to Memorize "cynics"

1. visualize
   

   - Imagine a person with a pessimistic outlook on life, living in a simple, self-sufficient way, and wearing the traditional Cynic cloak and carrying a staff.

2. associate
   

   - Associate the word 'cynic' with the image of a grumpy old man or a skeptical, critical person.

3. mnemonics
   

   - Use the acronym C-Y-N-I-C to remember the meaning: Critical, Yawn, Negative, Isolated, Cynic.

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