Synonyms

skeptical

American

[skep-ti-kuhl] / ˈskɛp tɪ kəl /

Or sceptical

adjective

inclined to skepticism; having an attitude of doubt.

a skeptical young woman who will question whatever you say.

Synonyms:

skeptic
doubtful about a particular thing.

My teacher thinks I can get a scholarship, but I'm skeptical.
showing doubt.

a skeptical smile.
denying or questioning the tenets of a religion.

a skeptical approach to the nature of miracles.

Synonyms:

unbelieving
(initial capital letter) of or relating to Skeptics or Skepticism.

Related Words

See doubtful.

Other Word Forms

antiskeptical adjective
nonskeptical adjective
overskeptical adjective
overskeptically adverb
overskepticalness noun
skeptically adverb
skepticalness noun
unskeptical adjective
unskeptically adverb

Etymology

Origin of skeptical

First recorded in 1630–40; skeptic + -al ¹

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The justices appeared skeptical of the tariffs during a hearing in November.

From The Wall Street Journal

Investors have been skeptical about the merger, given its high price and concerns about the direction of the film and television industries, sending Netflix shares to an eight-month low.

From MarketWatch

Oral arguments in November suggested that several justices were skeptical about the administration’s arguments, raising odds that the court strikes down the tariffs, at least partially.

From Barron's

As a pioneering robot designer, Brooks is particularly skeptical about the tech industry’s fascination with humanoid robots.

From Los Angeles Times

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023