Synonyms of skeptical

skeptical

adjective

ˈskep-ti-kəl 

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

• suspicious
• cautious
• incredulous
• careful
• wary
• doubting
• questioning
• distrustful
• disbelieving
• mistrustful
• unbelieving
• show-me
• cynical
• negativistic
• paranoid
• curious
• suspecting
• leery
• puzzled
• unsure
• quizzical
• experienced
• unconvinced
• hesitant
• watchful
• critical
• inquisitive
• guarded
• uncertain
• gun-shy
• sophisticated
• undecided
• worldly
• nosy
• knowing
• worldly-wise
• undetermined
• inquiring
• unsettled
• snoopy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• credulous
• gullible
• uncritical
• naive
• trusting
• trustful
• unquestioning
• confident
• unsophisticated
• positive
• sure
• green
• certain
• simple
• ingenuous
• innocent
• wide-eyed
• unknowing
• unworldly
• simpleminded
• inexperienced
• idealistic
• impractical
• raw
• childlike
• callow
• deceived
• careless
• unsuspecting
• unsuspicious
• unwary
• heedless
• duped
• tricked
• beguiled
• gulled

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• unsure
• suspicious
• doubtful
• uncertain
• unconvinced
• dubious
• unsettled
• distrustful
• mistrustful
• hesitant
• undecided
• ambivalent
• on the fence
• conflicted
• hinky
• trustless
• equivocal
• insecure
• diffident
• irresolute
• indecisive
• wavering
• vacillating
• halting

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• positive
• certain
• sure
• convinced
• confident
• sanguine
• assured
• decisive
• determined
• resolute
• self-assured

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of skeptical

At first skeptical of Hig, Pop and Cima start to form a bond with him, especially Cima who welcomes the strapping young man to warm up to at night. — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 25 Aug. 2026

Kahn was also getting peppered with questions from skeptical financial planners. — Vito Emanuel, NPR, 25 Aug. 2026

Based on his questions and remarks during the hearing, Thompson appeared skeptical of the lawmakers' process for getting the ballot question approved. — Dennis Valera, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026

But to me, especially at that time, newly estranged from faith, skeptical of religious dogma, but still steeped in the values and sensibilities of my Christian upbringing, the entire performance felt deeply offensive. — Literary Hub, 25 Aug. 2026