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

• 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

Marilyn Gooch was already skeptical about one of her newest neighbors, xAI’s supercomputing facility, when her cousin walked across the street in June with a blue mailer from the Greater Memphis Chamber of Commerce. —Wendi C. Thomas, ProPublica, 22 Aug. 2025

Obama Reacts to Gavin Newsom's California Redistricting Play James Talarico's Chances of Beating Colin Allred in Texas Primary—Poll Even voters who once backed Joe Biden and flipped to Trump in 2024 remain skeptical. —Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Aug. 2025

Courts across the country are increasingly skeptical of enforcing arbitration provisions, specifically in California and its neighboring states. —Chris Deubert, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025

But many on Wall Street remain skeptical that the rotation has legs in the wake of President Donald Trump’s tariff policy. —Sean Conlon, CNBC, 21 Aug. 2025

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