skeptic

or scep·tic

[ skep-tik ]

noun

1. a person who questions the validity or authenticity of something purporting to be factual.
2. a person who maintains a doubting attitude, as toward values, plans, statements, or the character of others.
3. a person who doubts the truth of a religion, especially Christianity, or of important elements of it.

   Synonyms: doubter

   Antonyms: believer

4. (initial capital letter) Philosophy.
   1. a member of a philosophical school of ancient Greece, the earliest group of which consisted of Pyrrho and his followers, who maintained that real knowledge of things is impossible.
   2. any later thinker who doubts or questions the possibility of real knowledge of any kind.

adjective

1. pertaining to skeptics or skepticism; skeptical.
2. (initial capital letter) pertaining to the Skeptics.

skeptic

/ ˈskɛptɪk /

noun

1. See sceptic
   an archaic, and the usual US, spelling of sceptic

Derived Forms

• ˈskeptical, adjective
• ˈskepticism, noun
• ˈskeptically, adverb
• ˈskepticalness, noun

Other Words From

• anti·skeptic noun
• non·skeptic adjective noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of skeptic¹

1565–75; < Late Latin scepticus thoughtful, inquiring (in plural Scepticī the Skeptics) < Greek skeptikós, equivalent to sképt ( esthai ) to consider, examine (akin to skopeîn to look; -scope ) + -ikos -ic

Synonym Study

See agnostic.

Example Sentences

Other skeptics say Section 230 allows platforms to profit from hosting misinformation and hate speech.

From MIT Technology Review

The association with GM gives Nikola a much-needed credibility boost—the startup has battled skeptics of its technology and business model, particularly since its stock was publicly listed earlier this year.

From Fortune

So it’s a little awkward that a county supervisor has positioned himself as the most high-profile local skeptic of the virus.

From Voice of San Diego

Since May, Desmond has positioned himself as the most high-profile skeptic of the coronavirus to hold local office.

From Voice of San Diego

I called them “islands of fertility in the continent,” though some skeptics doubted that the lakes were really there.

From Quanta Magazine

Given this tiny pool of survivors, a skeptic might ask why the story of the Mandans should matter to the contemporary reader?

From The Daily Beast

If you're a skeptic like me, this entire process sounds like one massive shake of the head from start to finish.

From The Daily Beast

In truth, I was a skeptic from day one, let the record show.

From The Daily Beast

Abrams is a skeptic, which he is well within his rights to be (a position this writer shares).

From The Daily Beast

I was a skeptic, but lo and behold, the Judiciary Committee actually acted like the old Senate for a week.

From The Daily Beast

This circumstance alone, ought to be strong evidence, even to a skeptic, of its super-human origin.

From Project Gutenberg

Now, says the skeptic, is it not possible that reptiles and birds lived upon the earth previous to the creation of beasts?

From Project Gutenberg

I should like to argue the point with you, but you are such a confirmed skeptic, I fear I should be wasting my time.

From Project Gutenberg

A powerful bass voice projected itself from the lungs of the good-humored-looking skeptic.

From Project Gutenberg

Yours is a skeptic age, my dears, and you have learned to scoff at things you do not understand.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• agnostic
• cynic
• dissenter
• doubter
• pessimist
• questioner