cynical

cynical, misanthropic, pessimistic, misogynic are comparable when meaning deeply and often contemptuously dis-trustful.

Cynical implies a sneering disbelief in sincerity and integrity

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the ease with which she asserted or denied whatever suited her purpose was only equaled by the cynical indifference with which she met the exposure of her lies— J. R. Green

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but people are nowadays so cynical—they sneer at everything that makes life worth living— L. P. Smith

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Misanthropic implies a rooted dislike and distrust of one's fellowmen and aversion to their society

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Swift was of an unhappy, misanthropic state of mind

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he . . . viewed them not with misanthropic hate—Byron

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his loathing . . . hardened into a misanthropic mania— Powys

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Pessimistic suggests a distrustful and gloomy view of things in general

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the pessimistic philosophy of Schopenhauer

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of kindly heart, though of violent speech . . . and of pessimistic temperament— Ellis

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Misogynic implies a deep-seated aversion to, and a profound distrust of, women

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his misogynic soul— Meredith

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a misogynic old bachelor

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Analogous words: sneering, girding, flouting, scoffing (see SCOFF): captious, caviling, carping, censorious, *critical: disbelieving, unbelieving (see corresponding nouns at UNBELIEF)

Contrasted words: *hopeful, optimistic, roseate