skepticism

American  

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

Or scepticism

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.

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skepticism Cultural  

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.

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Other Word Forms

• antiskepticism noun

Etymology

Origin of skepticism

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

Explanation

Skepticism is doubt about something — you're just not convinced or can't totally believe it. If your brother is only four feet tall, you should view his claims that he can slam dunk a basketball with a lot of skepticism. If you like to poke holes in other people's ideas, then you are full of skepticism. Some people follow a specific belief system that questions the truth of anything, but most people save their skepticism for certain things. Tabloids, Big Foot sightings, and over-eager used car salesmen should all be viewed with a little skepticism. On the other hand, gullible folks believe everything they hear and don't have much, if any, skepticism.

Example Sentences

While the team didn’t get to a World Series under Beane, it found new data-driven ways to construct a winning team with a low budget—defying the mocking skepticism of baseball traditionalists.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

Investors appear to be looking beyond the AI data center boom, with Android phone and automotive chip stocks rising amid skepticism about AI valuations.

From Barron's • Apr. 16, 2026

My lifelong commitment to social justice and my eternal skepticism of power and avarice comes from what I learned growing up at St. Boniface in Anaheim.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 14, 2026

"For many years, lifespan was attributed mainly to non-genetic factors, fueling skepticism about genetic determinants of longevity."

From Science Daily • Apr. 13, 2026

Is it more strained than claims that the skepticism of onlookers systematically prevents the occurrence of certain paranormal phenomena?

From "Innumeracy: Mathematical Illiteracy and Its Consequences" by John Allen Paulos

Related Words

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