skeptic

noun

skep·​tic ˈskep-tik 

1

: an adherent or advocate of skepticism

2

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

Synonyms of skeptic

• questioner

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

Over the past year, Kennedy dramatically reshaped a key US advisory panel to incorporate vaccine skeptics, then later oversaw changes to the national immunization schedule that pared back the number of shots recommended for America’s children. —Bloomberg, Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2026

Many of Kennedy’s picks are vaccine skeptics. —Berkeley Lovelace Jr, NBC news, 25 Feb. 2026

But at the Hispanic Republic Club bash, we skeptics might as well have been living in a different dimension. —Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2026

Compared to the Cure—who had a creatively and commercially successful comeback album in 2024—I’m not sure any skeptics will find their gateway with the well-meaning protest music of Days of Ash. —Sam Sodomsky, Pitchfork, 25 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin or Greek; Latin scepticus, from Greek skeptikos, from skeptikos thoughtful, from skeptesthai to look, consider — more at spy

First Known Use

1587, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for skeptic

• peptic
• sceptic
• septic
• antiepileptic
• antiseptic
• epileptic
• neuroleptic
• aseptic
• dyspeptic
• organoleptic

Kids Definition

skeptic

noun

skep·​tic ˈskep-tik 

: a person slow to believe or ready to question : doubter