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View synonyms for skeptic

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. an archaic, and the usual US, spelling of sceptic
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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Derived Forms

  • ˈskepticism, noun
  • ˈskepticalness, noun
  • ˈskeptical, adjective
  • ˈskeptically, adverb
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Other Words From

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

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Example Sentences

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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