Doubtful vs. Cynical — What's the Difference?
Difference Between Doubtful and Cynical
ADVERTISEMENT
Compare with Definitions
Doubtful
Subject to or causing doubt
A doubtful claim.
Doubtful prospects.
Cynical
Believing that people are motivated purely by self-interest; distrustful of human sincerity or integrity
He was brutally cynical and hardened to every sob story under the sun
Doubtful
Experiencing or showing doubt
Doubtful that the cord would hold, we strengthened it.
Cynical
Concerned only with one's own interests and typically disregarding accepted standards in order to achieve them
A cynical manipulation of public opinion
Doubtful
Of uncertain outcome; undecided.
ADVERTISEMENT
Cynical
Believing or showing the belief that people are motivated chiefly by base or selfish concerns; skeptical of the motives of others
A cynical dismissal of the politician's promise to reform the campaign finance system.
Doubtful
Raising doubts as to legitimacy, honesty, or respectability; suspicious
The candidate's doubtful past. See Usage Note at doubt.
Cynical
Selfishly or callously calculating
Showed a cynical disregard for the safety of his troops in his efforts to advance his reputation.
Doubtful
Subject to, or causing doubt.
Cynical
Negative or pessimistic, as from world-weariness
A cynical view of the average voter's intelligence.
Doubtful
Experiencing or showing doubt, sceptical.
Cynical
Expressing jaded or scornful skepticism or negativity
Cynical laughter.
Doubtful
Undecided or of uncertain outcome.
Cynical
Of or relating to the belief that human actions are motivated only or primarily by base desires or selfishness.
Doubtful
(obsolete) Fearsome, dreadful.
Cynical
Skeptical of the integrity, sincerity, or motives of others.
Doubtful
Improbable or unlikely.
Cynical
Bitterly or jadedly distrustful or contemptuous; mocking.
Doubtful
Suspicious, or of dubious character.
Cynical
Showing contempt for accepted moral standards by one's actions.
Doubtful
Unclear or unreliable.
Cynical
Like the actions of a snarling dog, especially in reference to facial nerve paralysis.
Doubtful
A doubtful person or thing.
Cynical
Believing the worst of human nature and motives; having a sneering disbelief in e.g. selflessness of others
Doubtful
Not settled in opinion; undetermined; wavering; hesitating in belief; also used, metaphorically, of the body when its action is affected by such a state of mind; as, we are doubtful of a fact, or of the propriety of a measure.
Methinks I should know you, and know this man;Yet I am doubtful.
With doubtful feet and wavering resolution.
Doubtful
Admitting of doubt; not obvious, clear, or certain; questionable; not decided; not easy to be defined, classed, or named; as, a doubtful case, hue, claim, title, species, and the like.
Beauty is but a vain and doubtful good.
Is it a great cruelty to expel from our abode the enemy of our peace, or even the doubtful friend [i. e., one as to whose sincerity there may be doubts]?
Doubtful
Characterized by ambiguity; dubious; as, a doubtful expression; a doubtful phrase.
Doubtful
Of uncertain issue or event.
We . . . have sustained one day in doubtful fight.
The strife between the two principles had been long, fierce, and doubtful.
Doubtful
Fearful; apprehensive; suspicious.
I am doubtful that you have been conjunctAnd bosomed with her.
Doubtful
Open to doubt or suspicion;
The candidate's doubtful past
He has a dubious record indeed
What one found uncertain the other found dubious or downright false
It was more than dubitable whether the friend was as influential as she thought
Doubtful
Fraught with uncertainty or doubt;
They were doubtful that the cord would hold
It was doubtful whether she would be admitted
Dubious about agreeing to go
Doubtful
Unsettled in mind or opinion;
Drew a few tentative conclusions
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Inhibited vs. Prohibited
Next Comparison
Tsunami vs. Cyclone
