different between cynicism vs ironic

English

Etymology

From Cynicism, cynic +? -ism; compare cynism

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /?s?n.??s?z?m/
• Homophone: Sinicism

Noun

cynicism (countable and uncountable, plural cynicisms)

1. (uncountable) A distrustful attitude.
2. (uncountable) 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. (countable) A skeptical, scornful or pessimistic comment or act.

Related terms

• cynic
• cynical
• cynically

Translations

See also

• cynicism on Wikipedia.Wikipedia

English

Alternative forms

• ironick (obsolete, rare)

Etymology

Borrowed from Middle French ironique, from Late Latin ?r?nicus, from Ancient Greek ????????? (eir?nikós).

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /a????n.?k/
• Rhymes: -?n?k

Adjective

ironic (comparative more ironic, superlative most ironic)

1. Characterized by or constituting (any kind of) irony.
   • 2014, Steven Pinker, The Sense of Style: The Thinking Person's Guide to Writing in the 21st Century!, p.275

     It was ironic I forgot my textbook on human memory.

2. Given to the use of irony; sarcastic.
3. Contrary or opposite to what may be expected.

   It's ironic to have a blizzard in the middle of the summer.

4. (proscribed) Odd or coincidental; strange.

   It's ironic that we are eating a sandwich in Sandwich, Massachusetts.

Usage notes

Some writers complain about an overuse of the word ironic to extend to situations which are remarkable for reasons other than irony - perhaps just coincidental or merely odd.

Synonyms

• ironical

Derived terms

Translations

See also

• Irony on Wikipedia.Wikipedia

Anagrams

• Cirino, oniric

Romanian

Etymology

Borrowed from French ironique, from Late Latin ?r?nicus, from Ancient Greek ????????? (eir?nikós).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [i?ro.nik]

Adjective

ironic m or n (feminine singular ironic?, masculine plural ironici, feminine and neuter plural ironice)

1. ironic

Declension

Related terms

• ironie