skeptical

adjective

skep·​ti·​cal ˈskep-ti-kəl How to pronounce skeptical (audio)
Synonyms of skepticalnext
: relating to, characteristic of, or marked by skepticism
a skeptical listener
skeptically adverb

Examples of skeptical in a Sentence

She's highly skeptical of the researchers' claims. He says he can win, but I remain skeptical. When I said I'd finished my homework early, Mom looked skeptical.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Raising its bid by $1 – to $31 a share – Paramount won over WBD’s skeptical board Thursday. David Goldman, CNN Money, 27 Feb. 2026 Those who are skeptical of the sustainability of the AI boom keep waiting for the party to stop. Zev Fima, CNBC, 26 Feb. 2026 But John Betancur, a professor of urban planning and policy at the University of Illinois Chicago who has studied gentrification locally, is skeptical that residents will be protected from getting displaced by the new investments the presidential center hopes to bring. A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 26 Feb. 2026 Supreme Court review could provide an intriguing mix of issues for the nine justices, a majority of whom are viewed as business-friendly but also deferential to states’ rights and skeptical of federal agencies. Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 26 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for skeptical

Word History

First Known Use

1639, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of skeptical was in 1639

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Cite this Entry

“Skeptical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/skeptical. Accessed 5 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

skeptical

adjective
skep·​ti·​cal ˈskep-ti-kəl How to pronounce skeptical (audio)
: relating to or marked by doubt
skeptically adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on skeptical

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