Adjective

(en adjective)

(chiefly, dated) sarcastic

* {{quote-book, year=1716, author=Sir Richard Blackmore, title=Essay upon Wit, chapter=, edition= citation

, passage=Several, in their Books, have many sarcastical and spiteful Strokes at Religion in general, while others make themselves pleasant with the Principles of the Christian. }}

* {{quote-book, year=1831, author=James Crabb, title=The Gipsies' Advocate, chapter=, edition= citation

, passage=But I never met with very warm support in carrying on this object, but was often exposed to some sarcastical insinuations or sardonic smiles from those who thought the attempt to ameliorate the condition of the Gipsies, only Quixotic. }}

* {{quote-book, year=1920, author=Arthur J. Rees, title=The Hand in the Dark, chapter=, edition= citation

, passage="Look here, Mr. ---- Funnysides, I didn't bring you up here to listen to no sarcastical remarks," retorted the man, with the sudden fury of a heavy drinker. }}

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.

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