cynically

/ˈsɪnɪkli/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈsɪnɪkli/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈsi-ni-k(ə-)lē/ (ame, mw)

cynically — 副詞

1. with the attitude that everyone else is selfish underneath, so promises, kindnes

1.副詞C1
釋義

嘲諷地

認為他人只圖私利、毫不真誠的態度

with the attitude that everyone else is selfish underneath, so promises, kindness, and good motives should not be trusted.

例句

Reuben smiled cynically when his manager promised that bonuses would arrive by Christmas.

當經理保證年終獎金會在聖誕節前發放時，Reuben 嘲諷地笑了笑。

verb + cynically expressing disbelief in a promise

Apinya laughed cynically at the politician's pledge to clean up corruption in the city.

對於那位政治人物承諾要肅清城市裡的貪腐，Apinya 不以為然地笑了出來。

verb + cynically reacting to a public claim

同義詞
  • sceptically

    milder; suggests doubt without assuming bad motives

  • sneeringly

    stronger; adds open contempt and a visible curl of the lip

  • scornfully

    stronger; emphasises looking down on someone or something

反義詞
  • earnestly

    with sincere trust and no hidden doubt

  • naively

    trusting in a way that ignores possible bad motives

文法句型

verb + cynically

cynically + past participle

用法筆記

Often pairs with reaction verbs ('smiled', 'laughed', 'shrugged', 'remarked') or verbs of judgement ('viewed', 'observed', 'wrote'). Distinguish from sense 2: this sense describes a doubting attitude toward other people's motives; sense 2 describes a calculated action that takes advantage of others.

常見錯誤

❌He is cynically about politics.
✅He talks cynically about politics.
💡'cynically' is an adverb, so it needs a verb such as 'talks', 'smiles', or 'writes'; it cannot follow 'be' alone.

2. knowingly using other people's feelings, trust, or suffering as a tool for perso

2.副詞C1
釋義

算計地

為私利而利用他人感情、不顧傷害

knowingly using other people's feelings, trust, or suffering as a tool for personal benefit, without caring about the harm caused.

例句

The company cynically used images of hungry children to sell more of its frozen meals.

這家公司刻意利用飢餓兒童的影像，藉此推銷自家更多的冷凍食品。

cynically + verb: exploiting sympathy for profit

Christopher cynically delayed the wedding for two years while still accepting Noa's family's money.

Christopher 一邊不斷拖延婚禮達兩年，一邊還算計地繼續收下 Noa 家人的金錢資助。

cynically + verb describing a calculated personal action

同義詞
反義詞
  • altruistically

    acting for others' benefit with no self-interest

  • selflessly

    putting another person's needs ahead of your own

文法句型

cynically + verb

cynically + past participle

用法筆記

Subject is usually an organisation, advertiser, government, or scheming individual — someone with power who could choose not to act this way. Frequently passive in journalism ('was cynically timed', 'cynically marketed'). Distinguish from sense 1: that sense is about an attitude or facial reaction; this sense is about a deliberate harmful action.

常見錯誤

❌She cynically when she heard the news.
✅She smiled cynically when she heard the news.
💡the adverb still needs a verb; sense 2 also needs a clear action that takes advantage of someone.