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 said he’s skeptical when candidates don’t talk about AI.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026
Evercore ISI analyst Amit Daryanani wrote in a note on Tuesday that he is skeptical about the report.
From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026
Against that backdrop, the UBS analysts said, investors have been skeptical that AI can help boost clothing retailers’ financials.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 6, 2026
The Supreme Court appeared skeptical of the administration’s case.
From Salon • Apr. 4, 2026
She shrugged and had a skeptical look in her eyes.
From "The Way to Rio Luna" by Zoraida Cordova
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.
