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 Some voters remain skeptical of the Democrats as an alternative, or see little distinction between the parties. — Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2026 Many inside the administration are skeptical about resuming military operations against Iran. — Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 29 Oct. 2026 Heytens was deeply skeptical that the Virginia law purporting to regulate federal officers passes constitutional muster. — Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 28 Oct. 2026 And Senator Darline Graham’s brother, Lindsey Graham, had a complicated relationship with some Republicans who were skeptical of his views on foreign policy and immigration. — New York Times, 28 Oct. 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
  • There were also questions about discrepancies involving missing text messages from the night Kylie vanished and suspicious marks in the home.
    — Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2026
  • There are furtive text exchanges and suspicious trips to town.
    — Joshua Yaffa, New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of suspicious
Adjective
  • Omer Shamir France Fleeing from Khan Younis, award-winning Palestinian photojournalist Mohammed Zaanoun moves his immediate family to safety in Egypt, unsure of what’s to come.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 29 Oct. 2026
  • DiCamillo said backers of a ballot measure also should be concerned any time support registers below 50%, since voters who are undecided or unsure tend to vote no.
    — Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of unsure
Adjective
  • Be cautious about unfamiliar apps with extensive permissions.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
  • And while Denton appears to be the right person to focus on cost savings and efficiencies, Wall Street remained cautious on the timing of Nike’s turnaround.
    — Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of cautious
Adjective
  • Ivan, the younger son, is doubtful and skeptical of his father, whereas Andrey, the elder, is faithful and trusting—the twin archetypes of man’s relation to the divine.
    — Joshua Yaffa, New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat and edge rusher Joseph Ossai are out, while rookie edge rusher David Bailey is doubtful.
    — Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of doubtful
Adjective
  • Cam asked her, incredulous that his talkative fiancée had nothing to say.
    — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Some congressional Democrats were incredulous, saying the email might simply have been deleted and that the firm’s analysis did not explain why or how someone might have manufactured the message.
    — New York Times, New York Times, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of incredulous
Adjective
  • However, while return on investment for artificial intelligence remains uncertain, rising depreciation expenses from new data center buildouts present an additional drag on corporate profitability.
    — , CNBC, 4 Nov. 2026
  • An uncertain state holiday In early 2025, Assemblymembers Ash Kalra, D-San Jose, and Darshana Patel, D-San Diego, introduced AB 268, also known as the Diwali Holiday Act.
    — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of uncertain
Adjective
  • There’s that Japanese concept of space and pause—in the wide corridors, the uncluttered lobby, the careful symmetry.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Nov. 2026
  • The first step was to tailor it to her size, while being careful to preserve the bespoke construction.
    — Bella Webb, Vogue, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of careful
Adjective
  • Watch out for predatory practices, like APRs above 36%, and be wary of lenders that guarantee approval or demand an upfront payment in exchange for a loan.
    — Dan Avery,Jasmin Suknanan, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2026
  • As reflected in the relatively tight election, nearly half of voters are a bit wary about whether Raman would move the city’s policy and philosophy orientation too far to the left.
    — Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 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 7 Nov. 2026.

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