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 When Miguel gets a lucrative offer to build a doomsday bunker in Hawaii for a powerful billionaire (played by Paul Dano, in a genuinely funny cameo), Sofia is immediately skeptical. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2026 The head of fiction position is about to open up, but Sofia is skeptical about the chances of a non-Brit landing that spot. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2026 DraftKings has him at +1000 while FanDuel is more skeptical at +1700. — Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026 Rural hospitals may be seeking out these deals, but lawmakers are skeptical. — Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 8 Sep. 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
  • The case was not registered as suspicious, the spokesperson added.
    — Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Amazon has partnered with the BBB so consumers can search reports involving suspicious communications.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of suspicious
Adjective
  • Researchers are also still unsure which spacecraft burn up completely and how many fragments may reach the ground, putting lives and property at risk.
    — Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Police and lifeguards were unsure as to the most recent jumping fatality, with one official pointing to the 2019 death of 15-year-old Anthony Womack, a National City resident.
    — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of unsure
Adjective
  • But Azizi warned that adding economic pressure will not necessarily make Iran more cautious, especially if Tehran sees it as unsustainable.
    — Jason Ma, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Be cautious about sharing personal information with an unexpected caller.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of cautious
Adjective
  • Rookie second-round cornerback D’Angelo Ponds (calf) is doubtful for Sunday’s game at Tennessee.
    — Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Center backs Micael and Gonzalo Lujan are doubtful for Miami and Mateo Silvetti is out after reinjuring his shoulder against Atlanta.
    — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of doubtful
Adjective
  • Those reporting her firing or the incredulous facts supporting that fiction have exhibited a complete and utter reckless disregard for the truth.
    — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 4 Sep. 2026
  • When a boater posted footage of the new island on social media, incredulous officials thought the video was AI-generated, according to the New York Times.
    — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of incredulous
Adjective
  • The night before that game, over dinner with Umaga, Nonu had been uncertain over whether to do it, not wanting the occasion to be about him.
    — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • When that doesn’t work, Vicki yanks off her mic and retreats to her bedroom, leaving the others uncertain of what to do next.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of uncertain
Adjective
  • The Challenges of Caring for a Fireclay Sink However, the same gleaming surface that makes a fireclay sink an anchor of your kitchen design requires a more intentional, careful cleaning routine than some other materials.
    — Blythe Copeland, Martha Stewart, 10 Sep. 2026
  • The premise couldn’t be simpler, though Wollner’s incredible prologue — a careful arrangement of low-event long takes that emphasize how people move through spaces in time — trains our eyes to privilege texture over incident.
    — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of careful
Adjective
  • His father, Francisco, was also wary, afraid that the town’s militarization would somehow provoke further conflict.
    — Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • South Africa has seemingly overcome its electricity crisis, with the country’s power utility, Eskom, reporting a power surplus during the winter peak-demand season, but civil society groups are wary of the surplus power being sold to data centers.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of wary

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skeptic
skeptical
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Cite this Entry

“Skeptical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skeptical. Accessed 12 Sep. 2026.

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