skeptical

adjective

skep·​ti·​cal ˈskep-ti-kəl 

: relating to, characteristic of, or marked by skepticism

a skeptical listener

skeptically

ˈskep-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Synonyms of skeptical

• suspicious
• cautious
• incredulous
• careful
• wary
• doubting
• questioning
• distrustful
• disbelieving
• mistrustful

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

Young Americans, often skeptical of institutions at home, seem surprisingly comfortable with Japan’s dense web of social expectations, from bowing to sorting trash into multiple categories. —Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2026

Georgia Supreme Court justices seemed skeptical after two separate medical malpractice cases resurfaced the question of whether the state can place a cap on money awarded by juries in wrongful death lawsuits. —Jozsef Papp, AJC.com, 5 Feb. 2026

Some astronomers are skeptical that the x-ray dot is anything special, however. —Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 5 Feb. 2026

Many Post journalists are skeptical, however, arguing that the organization cannot cut its way to growth, CNN’s Brian Stelter writes. —Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 5 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1639, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for skeptical

• sceptical
• receptacle

Kids Definition

skeptical

adjective

skep·​ti·​cal ˈskep-ti-kəl 

: relating to or marked by doubt

skeptically

-k(ə-)lē 

adverb