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Cynical vs Paranoid - What's the difference?

cynical | paranoid |

As adjectives the difference between cynical and paranoid

is that cynical is of or relating to the belief that human actions are motivated only or primarily by base desires or selfishness while paranoid is of, related to, or suffering from paranoia.

As a noun paranoid is

someone suffering from paranoia.

cynical

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Of or relating to the belief that human actions are motivated only or primarily by base desires or selfishness.
  • *(Samuel Johnson) (1709-1784)
  • *:I hope it is no very cynical asperity not to confess obligations where no benefit has been received.
  • Skeptical of the integrity, sincerity, or motives of others.
  • Bitterly or jadedly distrustful or contemptuous; mocking.
  • *
  • *:He seldom talked, and when he did, it was usually to make some cynical remark-for instance, he would say that God had given him a tail to keep the flies off, but that he would sooner have had no tail and no flies.
  • Showing contempt for accepted moral standards by one's actions.
  • *
  • *:When he, at Neergard's cynical suggestion, had consented to exploit his own cluband had consented to resign from it to do so, he had every reason to believe that Neergard meant to either mulct them heavily or buy them out. In either case, having been useful to Neergard, his profits from the transaction would have been considerable.
  • Like the actions of a snarling dog.
  • :
  • References

    * * *

    paranoid

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Of, related to, or suffering from paranoia
  • Exhibiting extreme and irrational fear or distrust of others
  • Maybe I'm paranoid , but that doesn't mean that they are not out to get me.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • Someone suffering from paranoia