skepticism

Or scep·ti·cism

[skep-tuh-siz-uhm]

noun

1. skeptical attitude or temper; doubt.

   Synonyms: questioning

2. doubt or unbelief with regard to a religion, especially Christianity.

   Synonyms: agnosticism, atheism, disbelief
   Antonyms: faith

3. (initial capital letter),  the doctrines or opinions of philosophical Skeptics; universal doubt.

skepticism

1. In philosophy, the position that what cannot be proved by reason should not be believed. One of the main tasks of epistemology is to find an answer to the charge of some extreme skeptics that no knowledge is possible.

Other Word Forms

• antiskepticism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of skepticism¹

First recorded in 1640–50; from New Latin scepticismus; equivalent to skeptic + -ism

Example Sentences

Judge Boasberg doesn’t address whether the acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp violated antitrust laws, but his observations suggest skepticism that they harmed competition or consumers.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Analysts expressed skepticism regarding the strategic fit of the potential acquisition, despite both companies having sales teams focused on general practitioners.

Read more on Barron's

Torres notes that investors spent the day bailing out of the market ahead of tomorrow’s earnings report from Nvidia, as the AI skepticism theme gains traction.

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Even though I’m not sure who this guy is, he’s starting to sound really familiar—just like all my Ghanaian relatives who look at me with that same kind of skepticism.

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Despite skepticism about its originality, fans say Cane’s Sauce has flavors that are legitimately distinct from other famed sauces.

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Related Words

• apprehension 
• disbelief 
• distrust 
• hesitation 
• reluctance 
• suspicion 
• uncertainty