cynicism

Meanings

1. A distrustful attitude.
2. An emotion of jaded negativity, or a general distrust of the integrity or professed motives of other people. Cynicism can manifest itself by frustration, disillusionment and distrust in regard to organizations, authorities and other aspects of society, often due to previous bad experience. Cynics often view others as motivated solely by disguised self-interest.
3. A scornfully pessimistic comment or act.
4. A school of thought in the philosophy of Ancient Greece.

1. the philosophy of the Greek Cynics

Etymology

From Cynicism, cynic + -ism; compare cynism.