1
as in suspicious
inclined to doubt or question claims
it's good to be skeptical about what you see on TV
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in unsure
not feeling sure about the truth, wisdom, or trustworthiness of someone or something
I'm a little skeptical of this low bid, since it's way below what the other contractors said that they would charge
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of skeptical
Already-skeptical House Republicans are agitating for House Speaker Mike Johnson to go to conference on the bill so the lower chamber can make its own changes.
—
Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 12 Mar. 2026
Werde is skeptical about consumers benefits.
—ABC News, 12 Mar. 2026
Snead, who has a history of finding productive receivers that others miss — among them Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua — is skeptical of the 40 as a measuring stick.
—Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2026
Even if that’s true—and some researchers are skeptical—fans’ teetering confidence could become an existential problem.
—Mckay Coppins, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for skeptical
Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 12 Mar. 2026
Werde is skeptical about consumers benefits.
—ABC News, 12 Mar. 2026
Snead, who has a history of finding productive receivers that others miss — among them Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua — is skeptical of the 40 as a measuring stick.
—Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2026
Even if that’s true—and some researchers are skeptical—fans’ teetering confidence could become an existential problem.
—Mckay Coppins, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for skeptical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skeptical
Adjective
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Massachusetts State Police ask that anyone who sees anything suspicious call 911.—
Juli McDonald,
CBS News,
14 Mar. 2026
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Noboa characterized the action as suspicious because diplomatic documents have international protections.—
Syra Ortiz Blanes,
Miami Herald,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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While there have been repatriation flights organized for South Africans, the couple did not pursue that avenue, being unsure of whether the government could — or would — assist in evacuating two citizens who live outside outside the country.—
Blane Bachelor,
CNN Money,
14 Mar. 2026
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Staff were unsure what food items on the steam table line were on time control.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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By contrast Zoox, acquired by Amazon in 2020, has been more cautious and careful to deploy a service on public streets.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
11 Mar. 2026
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Venezuelan players and coaches are incredibly cautious commenting publicly on politics of the country – to do so could draw additional attention to themselves.—
Hannah Keyser,
CNN Money,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Killing consumer rights There’s reason to be doubtful.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
10 Mar. 2026
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Edwards is doubtful for the Mustangs’ ACC tournament opener against Syracuse on Tuesday afternoon in Charlotte, a team spokesperson told The Dallas Morning News Monday.—
Lia Assimakopoulos,
Dallas Morning News,
9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Travelers at the airport Monday who heard about the vote were incredulous.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
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Fellow vegans in the comments were incredulous — what of the bear cub carcass Kennedy claimed to have dumped in Central Park or his lifelong interest in hunting?—
Scottie Andrew,
CNN Money,
26 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Outline your plans carefully, because regular progress should feel better than chasing an uncertain finish line.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
12 Mar. 2026
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Iran’s uncertain future is also central to the equation shifting in favor of IMEC.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Be careful when handling debris that may have blown into your yard.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
15 Mar. 2026
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Adjust a subscription or renegotiate a small fee, then record the change, because tracking progress reinforces confidence and protects your careful planning.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
14 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The analysis showed the elder Khamenei was wary of his son, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, ever taking power because he was perceived as not very bright, and was viewed as unqualified to be leader, according to sources.—
Jennifer Jacobs,
CBS News,
15 Mar. 2026
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Caldwell is also wary about a second-half effort from Democrats to push stricter greenhouse gas emissions-reduction standards.—
Nick Coltrain,
Denver Post,
15 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Skeptical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skeptical. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.
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