skepticism

noun

skep·​ti·​cism ˈskep-tə-ˌsi-zəm 

1

: an attitude of doubt or a disposition to incredulity either in general or toward a particular object

2

a

: the doctrine that true knowledge or knowledge in a particular area is uncertain

b

: the method of suspended judgment, systematic doubt, or criticism characteristic of skeptics

3

: doubt concerning basic religious principles (such as immortality, providence, and revelation)

Synonyms

• distrust
• distrustfulness
• doubt
• dubiety
• dubitation [archaic]
• incertitude
• misdoubt
• misgiving
• mistrust
• mistrustfulness
• query
• reservation
• suspicion
• uncertainty

Choose the Right Synonym for skepticism

uncertainty, doubt, dubiety, skepticism, suspicion, mistrust mean lack of sureness about someone or something.

uncertainty may range from a falling short of certainty to an almost complete lack of conviction or knowledge especially about an outcome or result.

assumed the role of manager without hesitation or uncertainty

doubt suggests both uncertainty and inability to make a decision.

plagued by doubts as to what to do

dubiety stresses a wavering between conclusions.

felt some dubiety about its practicality

skepticism implies unwillingness to believe without conclusive evidence.

an economic forecast greeted with skepticism

suspicion stresses lack of faith in the truth, reality, fairness, or reliability of something or someone.

regarded the stranger with suspicion

mistrust implies a genuine doubt based upon suspicion.

had a great mistrust of doctors

Examples of skepticism in a Sentence

She regarded the researcher's claims with skepticism.

It's good to maintain a healthy skepticism about fad diets.

Recent Examples on the Web

There is plenty of skepticism about comments like that. —David Koenig, The Christian Science Monitor, 18 Apr. 2024

While Biden has built out a network of defense relationships across Asia, skepticism about the reliability of partnership with the U.S. surviving a change in administration likely stems from Trump’s demonstrated attitude toward NATO. —Chad De Guzman, TIME, 18 Apr. 2024

But skepticism still lingers in the scientific community. —Cnn Com Wire Service, Orange County Register, 17 Apr. 2024

The Biden administration has used that leverage to entice Maduro to sit down with the opposition to negotiate a path to free and fair elections despite widespread skepticism. —Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2024

Many of the prospective jurors offered yes or no answers to the 42 questions, but a few provided further detail, including a man who identified himself as a bookseller, who may draw skepticism from the defense, which still has an opportunity to excuse him. —Kate Christobek, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2024

Other forum members cast doubt on their story and have expressed skepticism about Martinez’s TikTok. —Kat Tenbarge, NBC News, 15 Apr. 2024

The new audit implies that the public’s skepticism is well-founded. —Dan Walters, The Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2024

Their domestic interactions are funny and natural, and their healthy skepticism of the police has real consequences and informs their questionable decision-making. —Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

skepticism

noun

skep·​ti·​cism ˈskep-tə-ˌsiz-əm 

: an attitude of doubt