doubt 1 of 2

doubt

2 of 2

verb

as in to question
to have no trust or confidence in I doubt that you can do all that you say

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun doubt differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of doubt are dubiety, mistrust, skepticism, suspicion, and uncertainty. While all these words mean "lack of sureness about someone or something," doubt suggests both uncertainty and inability to make a decision.

plagued by doubts as to what to do

When might dubiety be a better fit than doubt?

The synonyms dubiety and doubt are sometimes interchangeable, but dubiety stresses a wavering between conclusions.

felt some dubiety about its practicality

When could mistrust be used to replace doubt?

The meanings of mistrust and doubt largely overlap; however, mistrust implies a genuine doubt based upon suspicion.

had a great mistrust of doctors

When would skepticism be a good substitute for doubt?

The words skepticism and doubt can be used in similar contexts, but skepticism implies unwillingness to believe without conclusive evidence.

an economic forecast greeted with skepticism

When is suspicion a more appropriate choice than doubt?

Although the words suspicion and doubt have much in common, suspicion stresses lack of faith in the truth, reality, fairness, or reliability of something or someone.

regarded the stranger with suspicion

When is it sensible to use uncertainty instead of doubt?

In some situations, the words uncertainty and doubt are roughly equivalent. However, uncertainty may range from a falling short of certainty to an almost complete lack of conviction or knowledge especially about an outcome or result.

assumed the role of manager without hesitation or uncertainty

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of doubt
Noun
Following a trial, Rocky was acquitted after being found not guilty, with the court determining that Relli’s version of events could not be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 9 Sep. 2025 Conversely, the models are generally not rewarded for expressing doubt, omitting dubious details, or requesting clarification. Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
At a time when Americans doubt higher education’s value and explore alternatives, these rankings matter more than ever. Bruno V. Manno, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025 There is no doubting Jokic's impact on the game. Ricardo Klein, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for doubt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for doubt
Noun
  • Many of the amendments are likely to spark infighting among Republicans as the party battles over whether to become more isolationist in the face of skepticism about assisting foreign countries.
    Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 10 Sep. 2025
  • The announcement from Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham landed with both excitement and skepticism.
    Jennifer Jay Palumbo, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Comer has questioned the former president’s use of the autopen for pardons and executive orders and whether his aides covered up his cognitive decline.
    Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Attorneys will question three sets of 60 people to settle on twelve jurors and four alternates.
    Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The sting resulted in the arrest of two men over suspicion of copyright infringement in El Sheikh Zayed City near the Greater Cairo metro area.
    Scharon Harding, ArsTechnica, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Any one visiting Russia in the past will know when the subject of China comes up, there are perpetual suspicions toward its territorial intentions in the far east of the country.
    Kerry Brown, Time, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • It is suspected that lightning triggered the fire.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Among the photos is one of the back of a mystery man’s head that her fans suspect is her boyfriend Jim Curtis, who is an author and life coach.
    Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Amid the regulatory uncertainty, some pharmacies have said that access to the shots may vary state-by-state and may require a prescription.
    Jon Haworth, ABC News, 5 Sep. 2025
  • This is one of the key points causing uncertainty about access.
    Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 4 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Doubt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/doubt. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.

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