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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of skeptical
The difference Chiu is making Even with the surge in interest in Black artists following Floyd’s death, Sesay was skeptical about the commitment from art institutions to make the work ongoing.
—
Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Union leaders cautiously welcomed the apology, viewing it as a necessary step in establishing trust between Mamdani and law enforcement—a group historically skeptical of his platform.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 12 Sep. 2025
Two Supreme Court justices sound skeptical.
—Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
How many Mamdani-skeptical Democrats could the left really challenge?
—David Weigel, semafor.com, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for skeptical
Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Union leaders cautiously welcomed the apology, viewing it as a necessary step in establishing trust between Mamdani and law enforcement—a group historically skeptical of his platform.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 12 Sep. 2025
Two Supreme Court justices sound skeptical.
—Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
How many Mamdani-skeptical Democrats could the left really challenge?
—David Weigel, semafor.com, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for skeptical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skeptical
Adjective
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Robinson's parents became suspicious after seeing surveillance footage published by law enforcement.—
Joshua Rhett Miller
Jesus Mesa
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
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Mutch gained his freedom in 2016, avoiding legal trouble until last May, when a cybertip about suspicious downloads led Solano County Sheriff’s investigators to his home, according to court records.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Instead of clarity and a sense of financial empowerment, individuals experience costly missteps and are left unsure of where to find reliable guidance—eroding any trust in the mainstream financial system.—
Sandy Anderson,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
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These cases have raised concerns about overzealous responses from companies, and left many companies unsure of how to proceed.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Employers increasingly wonder whether campuses are cultivating independent thinkers or just cautious followers.—
Sarah Hernholm,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
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The sum dwarfs most acquisitions this year — and marks TIFF’s first eight-figure deal in several editions — underlining the resilience of genre cinema at a time when studios and streamers alike are cautious.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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They were initially listed as doubtful.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
14 Sep. 2025
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Whether these demands alone will solve Nepal’s problems is doubtful.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Out of towners may be incredulous about Charlotte’s Chinese food scene, but tens of thousands of Asian Charlotteans know where to go — they just might be tightlipped about it.—
Shindy Chen,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Sep. 2025
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After the Yankees held on to win 8-4, Trammell was incredulous that his integrity was called into question.—
Jackson Roberts,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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In a world that is polarized, volatile, uncertain, complex and shifting all the time, your leadership can offer a beacon of both continuity and hope.—
Tracy Brower,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
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That leaves uncertain whether the threats might actually lead to new tariffs or a ban on Russian oil purchases.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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But Eliasen is careful not to let scope creep derail initial implementations.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Sep. 2025
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Be careful when handling debris that may have blown into your yard.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Low days supply means vehicles are selling quickly and demand is strong, while a high days supply indicates sales are slow or dealers are carrying too much inventory—consumers may be wary.—
Michael Harley,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
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But the Fed has been wary, concerned of triggering higher inflation.—
David Lightman,
Sacbee.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Skeptical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skeptical. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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