skeptical
Americanadjective
-
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
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.
He was skeptical, the congressman said, that it would be nothing more than a "photo op."
From Barron's
Some experts are also skeptical that Carr will ever make good on those threats through greater enforcement of the equal time provision.
From Los Angeles Times
This indicates that investors remain skeptical about the overall marks applied by Blue Owl portfolio which totals about $16 billion.
From Barron's
Both funds, so-called business development companies, have lent heavily to software companies, a sector where investors have grown skeptical of their growth prospects due to advancements in artificial intelligence.
From MarketWatch
The more convincing the technology becomes, the more skeptical we grow.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
