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breed cynicism

[brēd ˈsinəˌsizəm]
verb phrase
gerar cinismo
1. to cause or produce cynicism; to create conditions that lead people to distrust, doubt, or adopt a skeptical attitude toward others' motives
Repeated broken promises breed cynicism among voters.
Promessas repetidamente quebradas geram cinismo entre os eleitores.
2. to foster disbelief in the sincerity or goodness of human motives
Corporate scandals breed cynicism in the business world.
Escândalos corporativos geram cinismo no mundo dos negócios.
Synonyms
foster distrustcultivate skepticismcreate disbeliefengender doubtproduce mistrust
Antonyms
breed trustfoster optimismcultivate faithinspire hopeencourage belief

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
gerar cinismo
standard usage throughout Brazil
São Paulo
gerar cinismo; criar desconfiança
both expressions commonly used
Rio de Janeiro
gerar cinismo; criar ceticismo
frequently used in informal contexts
Portugal
gerar cinismo; alimentar cinismo
standard European Portuguese usage

Related Idioms & Phrases

breed contempt
sow the seeds of doubt
foster ill will
create a culture of distrust
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