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Spell Bee Word: cynical


Basic Details

Word: Cynical

Part of Speech: Adjective

Meaning: Believing that people care only about themselves and doubting that anyone acts from good or honest reasons.

Synonyms: distrustful, sceptical, suspicious

Antonyms: trusting, hopeful, optimistic

How to Spell Cynical

Syllables: cyn - i - cal

Tricky part: It starts with cy, not si or ci, though it sounds like sin. It ends in al, not le.

Watch out for: sinical, cinical, cynicle

Memory tip: A cynic is a person who doubts everyone; cynical is cynic + al. The y after c says i, as in cylinder.

Usage Examples

Example 1: After the fake prize call, Mohan became cynical about free offers.

Example 2: Some people are cynical about promises made before elections.

Example 3: Try not to be so cynical; most people mean well.

Fun Fact

The Cynics were a group of ancient Greek thinkers who lived very simply. One of them, Diogenes, is said to have lived in a large clay jar.

Practise the CREST Way

Word Connection

Choose the synonym of the word: cynical

a) hopeful
b) distrustful
c) generous
d) trusting

Show answer

b) distrustful. A cynical person does not trust others' motives; hopeful and trusting are opposites.

Spell-o-Spell

Choose the correctly spelt word:

a) simbol
b) mistery
c) cynical
d) sylinder

Show answer

c) cynical. Each word needs a y that sounds like i; only cynical has it, while cylinder, mystery and symbol are spelt wrongly.

Word Cookie

Find the extra letter in the word:

cynicall

a) a
b) l
c) c
d) y

Show answer

b) l. The al ending has one l, as in magical.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. A cynical person hearing a kind offer would probably think ____.

a) there must be a catch
b) it is a gift from heaven
c) nothing at all
d) everyone is honest

Show answer

a) there must be a catch

2. The Cynics, who gave English this word, were thinkers from ancient ____.

a) Greece
b) Egypt
c) China
d) Persia

Show answer

a) Greece

Associated Words

dispositioncaretakerregardconventionamass
advertisecontaminateastoundamusementanalyst

Next steps

How to participate in CREST International Spell Bee

The CREST International Spell Bee (CSB) is conducted in two editions – CREST International Spell Bee - Summer (CSB) and CREST International Spell Bee - Winter (CSBW) – giving students across the globe an opportunity to showcase and enhance their spelling proficiency. Designed for young learners from Senior KG to Class 8, the competition focuses on word-building, pronunciation, and vocabulary enrichment, helping students develop strong linguistic skills.

Steps to Participate:

Step 1: Visit the registration page and complete the registration with your desired subject.

Step 2: After Registration done, do login at www.crestolympiads.com/login.

Step 3: After login, go to dashboard and click on Book slot/Take Exam

Step 4: Schedule your exam date and preferred time.

Step 5: Log in with your credentials on the exam day at the scheduled time and take the exam.

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