doubt

1 of 2

verb

ˈdau̇t

doubted; doubting; doubts

Synonyms of doubt next

transitive verb

: to call into question the truth of : to be uncertain or in doubt about

He doubts everyone's word.

: to lack confidence in : distrust

… find myself doubting him even when I know that he is honest …—

H. L. Mencken

: to consider unlikely

I doubt if I can go.

archaic

: fear

… I doubt I have been beguiled!—

Sir Walter Scott

: suspect

intransitive verb

: to be uncertain

doubtable

ˈdau̇-tə-bəl

adjective

doubter noun

doubtingly

ˈdau̇-tiŋ-lē

adverb

doubt

2 of 2

noun

plural doubts

: a lack of confidence : distrust

has doubts about his abilities

: an inclination not to believe or accept

a claim met with doubt

: uncertainty of belief or opinion that often interferes with decision-making

: a deliberate suspension of judgment

: a state of affairs giving rise to uncertainty, hesitation, or suspense

The outcome is still in doubt.

Phrases

no doubt

: doubtless entry 1

Choose the Right Synonym for doubt

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

Example Sentences

Verb I have always doubted the existence of life on other planets. No one doubts that the mission will be a success. I seriously doubt my parents will let me go. “Do you think you can come tonight?” “I doubt it.” She doubted his ability to succeed. He said he could do it, but I couldn't help doubting him. Noun I still have moments of doubt. There can be little doubt that smoking is bad for your health. I had a nagging doubt in the back of my mind. See More

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The Biden administration and U.S. allies doubt China can play a decisive role in bringing an end to the war in Ukraine, given Beijing’s tendency to play it safe in the diplomatic arena and its reluctance to alienate Russia, Western diplomats and former U.S. officials say. —

Dan De Luce, NBC News, 13 May 2023 Nobody would have doubted Repole’s ambition or his pocketbook, having co-founded the company that created Smartwater and Vitaminwater and then selling it to Coca-Cola for more than $4 billion. —

Dan Wolken, USA TODAY, 3 May 2023 Believing problems are unique: Employees may doubt their role or organization when feeling their issues are unique. —

Shelli Brunswick, Forbes, 21 Apr. 2023 Though investigators believe the letter to be authentic, Mexican and US law enforcement officials participating in the investigation strongly doubt the sincerity of the group’s apology, the official who shared the letter with CNN said. —

Mitchell Mccluskey, CNN, 12 Apr. 2023 Criddle seemed to doubt that asking questions of a senator constituted harassment and declined to ban Sanchez from the state Capitol, limiting the order to apply only to Rogers' residences. —

Ray Stern, The Arizona Republic, 10 May 2023 Most economists doubt that the Fed will succeed and expect a recession to begin sometime this year. —

Compiled By Democrat-gazette Staff From Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 6 May 2023 Whether women can follow the package's instruction label and take the medication correctly seemed a chief concern of the FDA scientists, who doubted whether the pill maker had provided sufficient data. —

Berkeley Lovelace Jr., NBC News, 5 May 2023 Economists, ratepayer advocates and utility companies insist that rooftop solar incentives have fueled higher electricity rates, while most climate activists doubt the cost shift really exists. —

Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 4 May 2023

Noun

Over the years, Nathanson has expressed doubts about the Netflix business model. —

Jennifer Maas, Variety, 17 May 2023 Biden’s decision to skip the second leg of his trip will not go unnoticed in Beijing, where Chinese President Xi Jinping has amplified doubts about America’s reliability and pitched China’s authoritarian system as an alternative to Western democracy. —

Courtney Subramanian, Los Angeles Times, 17 May 2023 The main thing is that most people carry around a kind of stone backpack of perfectionism and doubt about their writing ability. —

Amanda Gokee, BostonGlobe.com, 16 May 2023 The result, if confirmed, throws doubt over the future of the National Hockey League team, which had staked its future on a new arena and a related entertainment and residential project on the western fringe of Tempe Town Lake. —

Sam Kmack, The Arizona Republic, 16 May 2023 However, Russian sources, and even some Ukrainian ones, express doubt that its claimed two or three battalions exist in such numbers. —

Sébastien Roblin, Popular Mechanics, 11 May 2023 Without a doubt, the best part was getting to know and work with you. —

Pamela Mcclintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 May 2023 There is no doubt that electricity is revolutionizing road transport. —

Sverre Alvik, Forbes, 5 May 2023 The song’s lyrics on heartbreak and regret may not be that feel-good but its uptempo beat is without a doubt one that can be played at any party, carne asada, club, and event, and will have everyone dancing and singing at the top of their lungs. —

Griselda Flores, Billboard, 2 May 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'doubt.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.