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
While some Republican senators even expressed doubt about the administration’s legal ability to go through with the threat, the memo is another part of the administration’s strategy to increase the pain on Democrats while the government is shut down. Jared Gans, The Hill, 8 Oct. 2025 The doubts chasing Florida into this season did not melt much Tuesday and will not disappear easily. Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
Despite the surge in temperatures, Allen doubts a heat advisory will be issued. Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025 No one doubts Whitmore’s physical gifts. Josh Robbins, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for doubt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for doubt
Noun
  • Approaching all interactions with an underlying skepticism can assist older adults in asking questions, slowing down and seeking assistance.
    Madhusree Mukerjee, Scientific American, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Yet one venture capital firm is testing that skepticism — and drawing attention while doing so.
    Anniek Bao, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Canales’ trust in Young growing A week after Dave Canales called a couple of running plays on third-and-long — prompting a veteran coach with another team to question Canales’ faith in his quarterback — Canales was more aggressive with his play calling with the game on the line.
    Joseph Person, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Once Gein's crimes came to light, he was questioned about a number of additional disappearances in the region.
    JR Radcliffe, jsonline.com, 6 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • While Hern was not accused of causing his wife's death, court records show that authorities had suspicions to the contrary.
    Quinlan Bentley, Cincinnati Enquirer, 2 Oct. 2025
  • More than any other change, this one act cemented Twitter’s new identity as a right-wing media platform that acted as an extension of Musk’s own political beliefs, paranoid suspicions, midnight musings and personal interests.
    Jacob Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Police spoke with the owner of Merchants Refrigeration, who suspected Arfsten, an employee, may have been involved in the incident.
    Erik S. Hanley, jsonline.com, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Although the fire is suspected to be human-caused, there is no information available on the exact action that triggered it.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 5 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • That uncertainty comes at a time when many Americans’ budgets may already be stressed from years of elevated inflation, a slowing economy and possibly more tariffs.
    Medora Lee, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
  • The longer the shutdown lasts, the more indicators may be delayed, and the more uncertainty takes over.
    Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Doubt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/doubt. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.

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