1. (a.) Alt. of Cynical.

2. (n.) 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.

3. (n.) 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.

Cassandra Eeyore Thersites backbiter belittler calamity howler calumniator caustic critic debunker decrier defamer defeatist deflater depreciator derogator detractor disparager hatchet man killjoy knocker libeler malist man-hater misanthrope misanthropist misogynist muckraker mudslinger negativist nihilist pessimist prophet of doom railer retreatist seek-sorrow sexist slanderer social critic traducer woman-hater worrywart