Final answer:
The word "cynical" means negative or pessimistic.
Step-by-step explanation:
The best meaning of the word "cynical" as it is used in the sentence is negative. When Benjamin is described as making cynical remarks, it means that his remarks tend to be pessimistic, skeptical, or distrustful in nature. Cynicism involves a belief that people act only out of self-interest and that they cannot be trusted to have good intentions.
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