skeptical

adjective

ˈskep-ti-kəl How to pronounce skeptical (audio)
Definition of skepticalnext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 skeptical Health system leaders who have spent careers optimizing the back end of the revenue cycle are understandably skeptical of claims about front-end transformation. — Mike Valli, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026 The analysts were skeptical of several projections highlighted by the company — and bullish investors. — Yun Li, CNBC, 7 July 2026 Some Cuba watchers are skeptical Rodríguez Castro could assume a leading role in the official government. — Romina Ruiz-Goiriena, USA Today, 6 July 2026 Ukraine and its neighbors are increasingly skeptical that the US will come to their aid in the face of Russian aggression, and are taking precautions accordingly. — Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 6 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for skeptical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skeptical
  1. suspicious
  2. unsure
  3. cautious
  4. doubtful
  5. incredulous
  6. uncertain
  7. careful
  8. wary
Adjective
  • Nile finds himself in a cat-and-mouse dynamic with his new neighbor (Claire Danes), an author in search of her next book subject who is suspicious of his innocence.
    — Senior Television, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
  • But by playing coy about next steps, Hamas has given observers and critics plenty of reasons to be suspicious about this latest development.
    — Rafi Schwartz, TheWeek, 8 July 2026
Definition of suspicious
Adjective
  • Essentially, markets believe that interest rates will rise in 2026 but are unsure of both the magnitude and timing.
    — Simon Moore, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
  • Engineers are unsure of the condition of Swift’s thermal insulation, and ground controllers will take a cautious approach to determining where and when Link’s robotic arms can capture the satellite.
    — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 6 July 2026
Definition of unsure
Adjective
  • Consumer confidence ticked up in June after weeks of anxiety tied to the conflict, though people remain cautious as worries about jobs and prices persist.
    — David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 4 July 2026
  • Gymshark’s growth has slowed as competition has intensified and consumers have become more cautious about spending.
    — Robert Olsen, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
Definition of cautious
Adjective
  • Small Wages, bitter cold, long months of complete darkness, constant danger, safe return doubtful.
    — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 4 July 2026
  • Reece James and Jarell Quansah are both doubtful due to injury, and Tino Livramento is out of the tournament entirely.
    — Christopher Harris, CBS News, 1 July 2026
Definition of doubtful
Adjective
  • On several occasions throughout the game, Lakers players were incredulous after calls – or non-calls – from the crew.
    — Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 8 May 2026
  • On several occasions, Lakers players were incredulous after calls — or no-calls — from the crew.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 May 2026
Definition of incredulous
Adjective
  • Supporters suggest these approaches could offer alternative financing structures, while critics note that long-term performance and adoption remain uncertain.
    — Jason Phillips, USA Today, 10 July 2026
  • The more proactive, in contrast, would try to steer government R&D toward promising but uncertain conservation experiments.
    — Taylor Dotson, Scientific American, 10 July 2026
Definition of uncertain
Adjective
  • When an accident brings the enigmatic Gaia into their lives, unexpected desires begin to take shape, unsettling the careful balance that has long defined their relationship.
    — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 9 July 2026
  • Be careful when handling debris that may have blown into your yard.
    — CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 8 July 2026
Definition of careful
Adjective
  • But be wary of high heat forecast for Washington this weekend, as event schedules are subject to change amid sweltering temperatures.
    — Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 4 July 2026
  • Iran may also be wary of attacks by the exiled Mujahadin-e Khalq (MeK), which Iran accuses of carrying out attacks inside Iran over several decades.
    — Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 4 July 2026
Definition of wary

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Cite this Entry

“Skeptical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skeptical. Accessed 11 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of skeptical for Spanish Speakers

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