sceptic

American  

[skep-tik] / ˈskɛp tɪk /

noun

1. skeptic.

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sceptic ¹ British  

/ ˈskɛptɪk /

noun

1. a person who habitually doubts the authenticity of accepted beliefs

2. a person who mistrusts people, ideas, etc, in general

3. a person who doubts the truth of religion, esp Christianity

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adjective

1. of or relating to sceptics; sceptical

Sceptic ² British  

/ ˈskɛptɪk /

noun

1. a member of one of the ancient Greek schools of philosophy, esp that of Pyrrho, who believed that real knowledge of things is impossible

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adjective

1. of or relating to the Sceptics

Other Word Forms

• Scepticism noun
• antisceptic noun
• scepticism noun

Etymology

Origin of sceptic

C16: from Latin scepticus, from Greek skeptikos one who reflects upon, from skeptesthai to consider

Example Sentences

Geier is a leading vaccine sceptic who was fined by the state of Maryland for practicing medicine without a medical degree or licence and prescribing dangerous treatments to autistic children.

From BBC • Apr. 11, 2025

Kennedy, who had been a vocal vaccine sceptic, was asked to explain his past comments on the Covid-19 vaccine and other immunisations.

From BBC • Jan. 29, 2025

Meanwhile the potential for escalating threats to affect voting was playing on the minds of several of the volunteers here, including Ms Burlingame, who dealt with the aggressive voting machine sceptic in August.

From BBC • Oct. 17, 2024

Mr Jassy has long been known as a sceptic of remote work, but Amazon staff were previously allowed to work from home two days a week.

From BBC • Sep. 16, 2024

To the sceptic and railer, Amittai is as an unknown quantity in an algebraic problem.

From Theological Essays by Bradlaugh, Charles