skeptical

adjective

skep·​ti·​cal ˈskep-ti-kəl 

: relating to, characteristic of, or marked by skepticism

a skeptical listener

skeptically

ˈskep-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Synonyms of skeptical

• suspicious
• cautious
• incredulous
• careful
• wary
• doubting
• questioning
• distrustful
• disbelieving
• mistrustful

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

Rancho libertarians, like their Scotch-Irish cousins from another mother, are forever skeptical of government, respect insurgents who want to take on the establishment, love their people and subscribe to a bootstraps approach to life. — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026

Polling shows Americans are largely skeptical of claims that the US must beat China at AI development, and that people are generally worried the technology is moving fast enough to pose a risk to their jobs and livelihood. — Ashley Gold, semafor.com, 25 Sep. 2026

Watch your accounts, consider freezing your credit if sensitive information was exposed and be skeptical of urgent utility messages. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 25 Sep. 2026

Matthieu Poux, an archaeology professor at the University of Lyon II who had been among those skeptical that Lutetia was on the Île de la Cité, told the Times the find changed his mind. — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 25 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1639, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for skeptical

• sceptical
• receptacle

Kids Definition

skeptical

adjective

skep·​ti·​cal ˈskep-ti-kəl 

: relating to or marked by doubt

skeptically

-k(ə-)lē 

adverb