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Difference between Cynical, Sarcastic and Skeptical

Cynical means contemptuously distrustful of someone’s motives.

  • “Those cynical men who say that democracy cannot be honest and efficient.”—FDR

Sarcastic means using bitter or caustic language against someone.

  • The sarcastic clerk cost the store many customers.

Skeptical means doubting, questioning, or mistrustful.

  • Candy seemed skeptical when I told her I am seeing a psychic.