doubting Thomas

American  

noun

1. a person who refuses to believe without proof; skeptic: in reference to the apostle Thomas.

---

doubting Thomas British  

noun

1. a person who insists on proof before he will believe anything; sceptic

---

doubting Thomas Idioms  

1. One who is habitually doubtful. For example, He was a doubting Thomas about the coming merger, not believing it would ever happen. The term alludes to the disciple Thomas, who doubted Jesus's resurrection until he had first-hand evidence of it (John 20:24–29).

---

Etymology

Origin of doubting Thomas

after _Thomas (the apostle), who did not believe that Jesus had been resurrected until he had proof

Example Sentences

His contemporaries may have been interested in the biblical lesson of the doubting Thomas, but we are attracted to Thomas’s uncertainty, which we read, in some way, as the painter’s own.

From New York Times

“Aha,” he said, “then it is up to Santini to prove to his doubting Thomas family that he is the tops when it comes to choosing a house for his family.”

From Literature

When Gill climbs to a high A on the piano ballad “When My Amy Prays,” the transcendent moment might give even a doubting Thomas goosebumps.

From Washington Times

And just so you know: Bajaj says he’s friends now with the doubting Thomases who wouldn’t make room for him way back when.

From Washington Post

You have seen and believed, the risen Jesus told a doubting Thomas, but blessed are they who have not seen and yet still believe.

From Washington Post