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

Companies are also making pledges to reduce their impact on the environment and offering assurances that data centers will boost local property values — all while maintaining AI is a positive force for the American economy, despite its skeptics. — Marc Levy, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026

The second episode brings listeners along as AJC reporters follow the evidence behind the Fulton County investigation and unpack how skeptics, activists, lawmakers and election officials have spent years fighting over what really happened. — Ajc Communications, AJC.com, 22 Oct. 2026

But vaccine skeptics have seized on public health messages that focus on frightening accounts and statistics, rather than the much more numerous children who recover. — Nicholas Florko, STAT, 21 Oct. 2026

While a growing number of advocates say that ultraprocessing is dangerous to public health, skeptics counter that the fervor around the topic has become a moral panic, and insist that some ultraprocessed foods can be part of a healthy diet. — Garrett M. Broad, The Conversation, 19 Oct. 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