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

Read his full profile of Sharma for more on Microsoft’s Xbox strategy and the unlikely non-gamer CEO who has won over the skeptical gaming community. — Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026

Those skeptical officials who have expressed little need for urgency include Fed Vice Chairman Philip Jefferson and New York Fed President John Williams. — Sarah Min, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026

Community opposition that blocks municipal permits has become a bottleneck, and tech giants could face even more challenges if voters next month elect more public officials who are skeptical of data centers. — Marc Levy, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026

What Employers Can Do To Help Weiss-Wolf is skeptical of policies built around a standard list of menopause accommodations. — Jo Ann Liguori, Flow Space, 21 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