skeptic

noun

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skep·tic | \ ˈskep-tik

Definition of skeptic

1 : an adherent or advocate of skepticism

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

Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More About skeptic

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 At least one vaccine skeptic lined up on Sunday with several dozen other people outside Vienna’s Christmas market in front of City Hall to receive their first jabs. — New York Times, 21 Nov. 2021 Durham's work was launched in 2019 by former Attorney General William Barr, a skeptic of the Russia investigation. — Marshall Cohen, CNN, 27 Oct. 2021 The marquee flashed Yankees vs. Twins, but that served as an undercard to the juicier event, a matchup between the spinmeister and the spin skeptic. — Star Tribune, 9 June 2021 Over the years, Johnson expressed enough disbelief in climate change to be branded, not exactly as a full-tilt denier, but a mischievous skeptic. — Washington Post, 10 Aug. 2021 As Alma, Eggert delivers a persuasive portrait of an emotional skeptic, who has to be convinced that happiness might, after all, be worth the pursuit. — Anthony Lan, The New Yorker, 17 Sep. 2021 One adviser, George Ball, was designated as the in-house skeptic, but this role made Ball an outcast among his colleagues. — Tevi Troy, WSJ, 22 Aug. 2021 Biden himself was long a skeptic of what could be accomplished in Afghanistan, and when Obama debated the surge in 2009, Biden was on the losing side against it. — Susan B. Glasser, The New Yorker, 12 Aug. 2021 Jim O’Dea, vice president of the behavioral health network at Hartford HealthCare, said last week that the best way to convince a skeptic to get vaccinated is to avoid an argument and instead ask questions and listen to the person’s concerns. — Alex Putterman, courant.com, 17 Aug. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'skeptic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.