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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Recent Examples of skeptical
Weiner is skeptical that black holes are dark energy producers.
—
Rebecca Boyle, Scientific American, 4 Oct. 2025
But modern dentists are skeptical as to how effective this practice actually is at improving oral health.
—Hannah Yasharoff, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
There isn’t much either to the plot he’s devised, in which the survivor of a horrific massacre leads skeptical authorities to the site where all Hell broke loose, with predictably bloody results.
—A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 3 Oct. 2025
International figures who've worked with Palestinians are also skeptical.
—Lauren Frayer, NPR, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for skeptical
Rebecca Boyle, Scientific American, 4 Oct. 2025
But modern dentists are skeptical as to how effective this practice actually is at improving oral health.
—Hannah Yasharoff, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
There isn’t much either to the plot he’s devised, in which the survivor of a horrific massacre leads skeptical authorities to the site where all Hell broke loose, with predictably bloody results.
—A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 3 Oct. 2025
International figures who've worked with Palestinians are also skeptical.
—Lauren Frayer, NPR, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for skeptical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skeptical
Adjective
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Pyongyang has long been accused of conducting suspicious transfers of goods between ships in the East China Sea, which is bordered by China, the Korean Peninsula, Japan and Taiwan.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Oct. 2025
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Digital asset treasury companies face SEC and FINRA investigations for suspicious trading patterns around crypto announcements.—
Boaz Sobrado,
Forbes.com,
6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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As this section is still early on in the design phase, the leaders are unsure about how long the road will be shut down, if at all.—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 Oct. 2025
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With Feyenoord’s defenders unsure whether to engage, Rogers had time and space to drive.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Homebuilders are getting more cautious, says economist Wolf.—
Lew Sichelman,
Miami Herald,
7 Oct. 2025
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Markets had expected the more fiscally cautious Shinjiro Koizumi to win.—
Danny Bakst,
Fortune,
6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The Rams will likely be without starting tight end Tyler Higbee (doubtful, hip) and right tackle Rob Havenstein (doubtful, ankle).—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Oct. 2025
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But some scholars are doubtful that’s routinely happening.—
Lauren Sausser,
Miami Herald,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Play-by-play announcer Chris Myers seemed a bit incredulous on the Fox broadcast.—
Joseph Person,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
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The alien then turns and runs off into the jungle, as Hermit looks at his sister with an incredulous expression.—
Christopher Rudolph,
PEOPLE,
17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The hospital remains closed, and the company that owns it, Ballad Health, has said its reopening is uncertain.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
5 Oct. 2025
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While the 118 came together to save the survivors, the scars of Bobby's passing lingered, as did the uncertain future of the captain-less team.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Be careful when handling debris that may have blown into your yard.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
3 Oct. 2025
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These treatments require careful and ongoing monitoring.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The charges were filed despite reports that prosecutors in the Eastern District of Virginia were wary of the case’s merit.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
8 Oct. 2025
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But the new prices that hit Wednesday morning — along with some of the best discount offers in years — suggest the media and entertainment giant is being strategic in a year when no brand-new rides are likely to open, and many guests feel wary about the economy overall.—
Natasha Chen,
CNN Money,
8 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Skeptical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skeptical. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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