skeptic

noun

skep·​tic ˈskep-tik 

1

: an adherent or advocate of skepticism

2

: a person disposed to skepticism especially regarding religion or religious principles

Synonyms of skeptic

• questioner

Examples of skeptic in a Sentence

Skeptics have pointed out flaws in the researchers' methods.

You can believe in ghosts if you like, but I'm still a skeptic.

He is a skeptic and a cynic.

Recent Examples on the Web

Sacramento County’s top executive joined the chorus of skeptics Tuesday about a 2024 report that found Sacramento’s homeless population had dropped 29% since 2022. —Theresa Clift, Sacbee.com, 8 Apr. 2026

But Mas assured skeptics that all would work out. —Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2026

Companies like Runway see themselves as a bridge between the Silicon Valley hypesters and Hollywood skeptics, catering to filmmakers with tools and eschewing social applications like ByteDance’s Seesaw (The Brad Pitt-Tom Cruise fight people). —Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 1 Apr. 2026

This has thrilled skeptics of post-Biden Democrats, who wonder why no other potential candidate will say, as Emanuel did to Megyn Kelly, that a man cannot become a woman — and then defend that opinion to NPR. —David Weigel, semafor.com, 1 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin or Greek; Latin scepticus, from Greek skeptikos, from skeptikos thoughtful, from skeptesthai to look, consider — more at spy

First Known Use

1587, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for skeptic

• peptic
• sceptic
• septic
• antiepileptic
• antiseptic
• epileptic
• neuroleptic
• aseptic
• dyspeptic
• organoleptic

Kids Definition

skeptic

noun

skep·​tic ˈskep-tik 

: a person slow to believe or ready to question : doubter