skeptical
adjective
skep·ti·cal
ˈskep-ti-kəl 
: relating to, characteristic of, or marked by skepticism
a skeptical listener
Synonyms
Examples of skeptical in a Sentence
She's highly skeptical of the researchers' claims.
He says he can win, but I remain skeptical.
When I said I'd finished my homework early, Mom looked skeptical.
Recent Examples on the Web
Other climate groups that are skeptical of the carbon market as a climate solution say that those attending COP28 should focus not on carbon credits but on cutting out fossil fuels.
—
Nidhi Sharma, NBC News, 22 Nov. 2023
The agency was skeptical of claims that Sites would help to reduce water temperatures on the Feather and American rivers, where higher temperatures have been lethal for salmon spawn.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 21 Nov. 2023
Freiman finds less to salvage in Rand’s life or work, but the novel is rightly skeptical of the wellness industry’s promises to subdue the demands of selfhood.
—Katy Waldman, The New Yorker, 21 Nov. 2023
Conservatives have become more skeptical of continually providing billions to respond to the pandemic, including by pointing to fraud that marred some of the aid.
—Cheyenne Haslett, ABC News, 20 Nov. 2023
And spreading the word is difficult given that Musk is extremely skeptical of advertising.
—Bychristiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 20 Nov. 2023
Maryland regulators also became skeptical of Gray Goose Aviation and the family suddenly decamped again.
—John Kelly, Washington Post, 18 Nov. 2023
Fitzpatrick says most police agencies had been skeptical of this new investigative tool.
—Natalie Morales, CBS News, 18 Nov. 2023
Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda has remained skeptical that electric vehicles are the only solution for carbon neutrality.
—Jenny Goldsberry, Washington Examiner, 17 Nov. 2023
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Nidhi Sharma, NBC News, 22 Nov. 2023
The agency was skeptical of claims that Sites would help to reduce water temperatures on the Feather and American rivers, where higher temperatures have been lethal for salmon spawn.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 21 Nov. 2023
Freiman finds less to salvage in Rand’s life or work, but the novel is rightly skeptical of the wellness industry’s promises to subdue the demands of selfhood.
—Katy Waldman, The New Yorker, 21 Nov. 2023
Conservatives have become more skeptical of continually providing billions to respond to the pandemic, including by pointing to fraud that marred some of the aid.
—Cheyenne Haslett, ABC News, 20 Nov. 2023
And spreading the word is difficult given that Musk is extremely skeptical of advertising.
—Bychristiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 20 Nov. 2023
Maryland regulators also became skeptical of Gray Goose Aviation and the family suddenly decamped again.
—John Kelly, Washington Post, 18 Nov. 2023
Fitzpatrick says most police agencies had been skeptical of this new investigative tool.
—Natalie Morales, CBS News, 18 Nov. 2023
Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda has remained skeptical that electric vehicles are the only solution for carbon neutrality.
—Jenny Goldsberry, Washington Examiner, 17 Nov. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'skeptical.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1639, in the meaning defined above
Articles Related to skeptical
Dictionary Entries Near skeptical
Cite this Entry
“Skeptical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/skeptical. Accessed 5 Dec. 2023.
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More from Merriam-Webster on skeptical
Nglish: Translation of skeptical for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of skeptical for Arabic Speakers
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