cynical
SIN-ih-kuladjMeaning believing that people act only out of self-interest
Memory hook CYN-ical: “What’s the CATCH?”. Nell brings her new neighbor a pie, and Victor squints: “What’s the catch? What do you want?” He thinks every kindness hides a selfish reason. Victor is cynical.
The cynical shopper assumed the free samples must be some kind of trick.
In context When the new neighbor offered to help paint his fence, Victor was cynical: he assumed she must want something in return, though she only wanted to be friendly.
Similar distrustful, suspicious, jaded, skeptical
Opposite trusting, idealistic, naive
From Greek kynikos, “doglike,” the name given to the Cynics, ancient Greek thinkers who scorned wealth, comfort and custom.