Emotion: Cynicism

When you want to write the emotion cynicism, it's important to "show" the emotion your character is experiencing through their physical reactions and dialogue, rather than "tell" it. In this article we provide you with inspiration so you can avoid showing instead of telling and immerse your readers in your story.

Cynicism is an attitude or state of mind characterized by a general distrust of others' motives and a belief that people are primarily motivated by self-interest. A cynic tends to be skeptical, pessimistic, and distrustful of people's intentions, often expecting the worst in others and believing that they are likely to act in their own self-interest, even if it means harming others. This emotion can be expressed in a variety of ways, from sarcasm and irony to bitterness and contempt.

Different Types of Cynicism

Here are some different types of cynicism:

• Bitter cynicism: characterized by resentment and a sense of betrayal, often directed towards a particular person or group.
• Skeptical cynicism: marked by doubt and suspicion, and a tendency to question the motives and actions of others.
• World-weary cynicism: a sense of tiredness and disillusionment with the world and its people, often accompanied by a feeling of resignation or detachment.
• Intellectual cynicism: a critical and analytical approach to the world, marked by a tendency to deconstruct and challenge prevailing beliefs and assumptions.

Situations Associated with Cynicism

Here are some situations where a character might experience the emotion of cynicism:

• Experiencing disappointment or betrayal from someone they trusted
• Repeatedly encountering dishonesty or corruption in their line of work or personal life
• Losing faith in a belief or ideology they held dear
• Feeling powerless or ignored in the face of injustice or systemic issues
• Witnessing others repeatedly make selfish or unethical decisions
• Being repeatedly told or shown that their efforts to make a positive change are futile
• Feeling like they have been taken advantage of or used for someone else's gain
• Experiencing a series of failures or setbacks despite their best efforts

Physical Reactions to Cynicism

Here are some physical reactions a character experiencing cynicism might have:

• Eye-rolling or scoffing
• Crossing arms or legs in a defensive posture
• A curled lip or sneer
• Sarcasm or dry humor
• Lack of enthusiasm or passion
• Minimal eye contact or avoiding eye contact altogether
• A sense of detachment or aloofness
• Frequent sighing or heavy breathing
• Minimal engagement in conversation or activities

Thoughts Associated with Cynicism

Here are some thoughts a character experiencing cynicism might have:

• Why bother trying? It's not like anything will change anyway.
• I've been let down too many times to believe in anything or anyone anymore.
• Everyone has an ulterior motive. No one can be trusted.
• The world is a cruel and unfair place.
• I don't see the point in being optimistic. It's just setting yourself up for disappointment.
• People are so naive. They don't see the truth behind everything.
• I'm not going to waste my time on something that won't matter in the end.
• I've learned the hard way that nothing is ever what it seems.
• I don't believe in happy endings. They're just a fantasy.

Atmosphere of Cynicism

Here are some ways that you might reflect the emotion of cynicism in the atmosphere of your scene:

• Use a gloomy or bleak setting to reflect the character's disillusionment or distrust.
• Incorporate elements of decay or neglect to symbolize the character's belief that things are falling apart.
• Use dark humor or sarcasm to highlight the character's cynicism.
• Have other characters act in ways that reinforce the character's belief that people are selfish or untrustworthy.
• Use dialogue that is dismissive or critical of idealistic or optimistic views.
• Have the character engage in actions that are morally ambiguous or self-serving.
• Incorporate news or media that highlights corrupt or unethical behavior to emphasize the character's cynicism.

Verbs Associated with Cynicism

Here are some verbs commonly associated with the emotion of cynicism:

• Disparage
• Distrust
• Disbelieve
• Denounce
• Mock
• Ridicule
• Belittle
• Sarcasm
• Satirize

Emotions Before Cynicism

Here are some emotions that may come before a character experiences cynicism:

• Disappointment
• Frustration
• Betrayal
• Disillusionment
• Skepticism
• Distrust
• Pessimism
• Resentment
• Bitterness

Emotions After Cynicism

Here are some emotions that may come after a character experiences cynicism:

• Hope
• Empathy
• Optimism
• Acceptance
• Forgiveness
• Open-mindedness
• Trust
• Curiosity
• Gratitude
• Humility

It's important to note that the journey from cynicism to any of these emotions may not be a straightforward one and may require a lot of self-reflection and personal growth. However, exploring these emotions can make for compelling character arcs in creative writing.

Telling Cynicism Examples to Avoid

Here are some examples of telling the emotion cynicism in a sentence. You should avoid things like this:

• She felt cynical about the prospect of finding true love.
• After years of working in politics, he had become extremely cynical about the system.
• The character's cynical attitude was evident in the way they dismissed others' opinions.
• Despite her best efforts, she couldn't shake her cynical view of the world.
• He had grown so cynical over the years that he found it difficult to trust anyone.
• The protagonist's cynical outlook on life often got in the way of forming meaningful relationships.
• The character's cynicism had turned into a defense mechanism against disappointment and heartbreak.
• She had developed a cynical sense of humor as a coping mechanism for life's challenges.
• His cynical comments about the state of the world often made others uncomfortable.

Practical Examples of Showing Cynicism

Here are some examples of showing cynicism in a sentence:

• Emma rolled her eyes as she read the headline of the latest news article.
• John smirked as he watched the politician's promises dissolve into nothingness.
• Sarah let out a deep sigh as she listened to her friend's naive optimism.
• Tom's thoughts were filled with bitter skepticism as he watched the happy couple walk by.

Exercises for Showing Cynicism

Here are some writing exercises to practice showing cynicism:

• Start by defining what cynicism means for your character. How do they view the world and people around them? What events or experiences have shaped their cynical outlook?
• Write a scene where your character encounters someone or something they are cynical about. This could be a person, a situation, or even a new idea. How do they react? What thoughts run through their head?
• Explore your character's inner monologue. What do they say to themselves when they encounter something they are cynical about? What is their self-talk like?
• Write a dialogue between your cynical character and someone who is more optimistic. How do they clash? What do they disagree on?
• Use sensory details to convey cynicism. What does cynicism feel like? What do your character's surroundings look and smell like when they are feeling cynical?
• Show the consequences of cynicism. How does it affect your character's relationships? Their ability to trust and connect with others?
• Explore the origin of your character's cynicism. Was it a defense mechanism? A result of trauma or disappointment? What can your character do to work through it and move towards a more positive outlook?

Want more help with showing emotion instead of telling? You find more help in our full set of emotions.