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

There were some insiders who were skeptical about De Luca and Abdy. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 2 Oct. 2026

At $120 a bottle, one user was skeptical that a single bottle would last all month. — Beth Sobol, Flow Space, 2 Oct. 2026

OpenAI sought to characterize the PAC as a totally independent entity, but employees — encouraged by critics on X — were skeptical. — Garrison Lovely, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Prominent Italian production executive Marco Chimenz, former president of the European Producers Club, is skeptical. — Alex Ritman, Variety, 2 Oct. 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