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

Within months of his confirmation as secretary, Kennedy had dismissed every member of the CDC's vaccine advisory board and replaced them with new appointees, some of them prominent vaccine skeptics. — Karen Brown, NPR, 30 July 2026

Experts remain divided, with some forecasting human-level AI within decades, while skeptics emphasize current systems' reliance on human input and infrastructure. — Robert J. Szczerba, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026

The ordinance must move through hearings, survive a hard budget season and win a majority of a council where skeptics remain — all with elections looming. — Ciera Bates-Chamberlain, Chicago Tribune, 26 July 2026

From Salve Regina to Holy Cross and James Madison, Chesney built winners where skeptics said it couldn’t be done. — Los Angeles Times, 26 July 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