"cynical" vs "distrustful" vs "skeptical"
Hi there,
Could someone please tell me if the following three word are all synonyms and mean the same?

1. He is very cynical about what others tell him.
2. He is very distrustful of what others tell him.
3. He is very skeptical of what others tell him.

Any help would be really appreciated.

Thanks,
Nanako

Question

"cynical" vs "distrustful" vs "skeptical"
Hi there,
Could someone please tell me if the following three word are all synonyms and mean the same?

1. He is very cynical about what others tell him.
2. He is very distrustful of what others tell him.
3. He is very skeptical of what others tell him.

Any help would be really appreciated.

Thanks,
Nanako

Answer

Another good question!

Of the three, the word cynical is the strongest. It is associated with contempt for what is heard.
For example, you might say of a cynical person, "He sneered with contempt at her idea, believing she was stupid'.
A distrustful person has no trust.
A skeptical person may have doubts.