skepticism

noun

skep·​ti·​cism ˈskep-tə-ˌsi-zəm 

1

: an attitude of doubt or a disposition to incredulity either in general or toward a particular object

2

a

: the doctrine that true knowledge or knowledge in a particular area is uncertain

b

: the method of suspended judgment, systematic doubt, or criticism characteristic of skeptics

3

: doubt concerning basic religious principles (such as immortality, providence, and revelation)

Synonyms

• doubt
• suspicion
• uncertainty
• distrust

Choose the Right Synonym for skepticism

uncertainty, doubt, dubiety, skepticism, suspicion, mistrust mean lack of sureness about someone or something.

uncertainty may range from a falling short of certainty to an almost complete lack of conviction or knowledge especially about an outcome or result.

assumed the role of manager without hesitation or uncertainty

doubt suggests both uncertainty and inability to make a decision.

plagued by doubts as to what to do

dubiety stresses a wavering between conclusions.

felt some dubiety about its practicality

skepticism implies unwillingness to believe without conclusive evidence.

an economic forecast greeted with skepticism

suspicion stresses lack of faith in the truth, reality, fairness, or reliability of something or someone.

regarded the stranger with suspicion

mistrust implies a genuine doubt based upon suspicion.

had a great mistrust of doctors

Examples of skepticism in a Sentence

She regarded the researcher's claims with skepticism.

It's good to maintain a healthy skepticism about fad diets.

Recent Examples on the Web

Even as vaccine skepticism has shifted from left to right, the people of West Virginia—where the Republican Presidential nominee has won every county in every one of the past four elections—want to maintain some of the nation’s strictest school-immunization requirements by a margin of four to one. —Dhruv Khullar, New Yorker, 24 Sep. 2025

The Nasdaq Composite lost nearly a full percentage point yesterday as traders expressed skepticism over Nvidia’s $100 billion investment in OpenAI. —Jim Edwards, Fortune, 24 Sep. 2025

As vaccine skepticism has grown since the pandemic, vaccine rates have dropped. —Romy Ellenbogen, Miami Herald, 24 Sep. 2025

The prediction has prompted a wide range of reactions, from genuine spiritual anticipation to open skepticism from religious scholars and mainstream pastors. —Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for skepticism

• autism
• fascism
• racism
• sikhism
• statism
• sufism
• thomism
• tourism
• tropism
• abolitionism
• aldosteronism
• americanism

Kids Definition

skepticism

noun

skep·​ti·​cism ˈskep-tə-ˌsiz-əm 

: an attitude of doubt