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

• 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

Yet Huang insists the skeptics are missing the deeper forces reshaping the economy. —Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 29 Sep. 2025

Ultimately, some police skeptics saw the commission’s vote as the better of two outcomes — the other being the City Council, which would have been able to examine the pursuit policy had the volunteer body voted against a change. —Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 26 Sep. 2025

The tongue scan and iris scan—both purported to identify chronic conditions—raised my skeptic’s hackles. —Peter J. Frank, Robb Report, 25 Sep. 2025

Another skeptic, Neil Alexander, a geriatrician and falls expert at the University of Michigan and VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, argued that most doctors have come to understand the dangers of FRIDs and prescribe them less often. —Paula Span, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2025

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