cynicism

冷笑主義、シニシズム

人は善意や誠実さより自分の利益で動くと考えること。

やさしい英語で： The belief that people act for their own benefit rather than from kindness or honesty.

• His cynicism makes it hard to trust anyone.
• The scandal increased cynicism about politicians.
• She challenged my cynicism by helping without expecting anything.

使い方： cynicism about something (The scandal increased public cynicism about politics.); cynicism toward someone/something (Her cynicism toward authority grew over time.)

類義語： distrust, skepticism

反対語： trust, idealism

よく使う表現： deep cynicism, public cynicism, cynicism about something, cynicism about motives

皮肉な発言

人を軽く見て、悪いことしか期待しない態度を表す言動。

やさしい英語で： A remark or action that shows you expect the worst and have little respect for people.

• He answered with a cruel cynicism.
• Her cynicisms made every kind gesture sound selfish.
• The speech contained several cynicisms about public service.

類義語： sneer, cynical remark

よく使う表現： a bitter cynicism, utter a cynicism

キュニコス主義

富や社会の慣習より質素な暮らしを重んじた古代ギリシャの思想。

やさしい英語で： An ancient Greek way of thinking that valued a simple life over wealth and social rules.

• Cynicism encouraged a simple life.
• The students compared Cynicism with other Greek philosophies.
• Diogenes is closely associated with Cynicism.

よく使う表現： ancient cynicism, Greek cynicism