Synonyms

skepticism

American

[skep-tuh-siz-uhm] / ˈskɛp təˌsɪz əm /

Or scepticism

noun

skeptical attitude or temper; doubt.

Synonyms:

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

Synonyms:

agnosticism, atheism, disbelief

Antonyms:

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

skepticism Cultural

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

Etymology

Origin of skepticism

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

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.

There is similar skepticism about the domestic cuts, many of which Congress has previously rejected.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

What makes this moment different is that the skepticism is not confined to the opposition.

From Salon • Apr. 1, 2026

Calpers’s decision to add to its holdings might prove savvy, and the market’s skepticism might be misplaced.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

Materne noted that skepticism of Microsoft’s AI strategy is another factor dogging the stock.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 25, 2026

The heavyset woman sitting next to me bounced a toddler on her knee and did nothing to hide her skepticism.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama

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