Synonym Chooser

How does the noun skepticism differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of skepticism are doubt, dubiety, mistrust, suspicion, and uncertainty. While all these words mean "lack of sureness about someone or something," skepticism implies unwillingness to believe without conclusive evidence.

an economic forecast greeted with skepticism

In what contexts can doubt take the place of skepticism?

In some situations, the words doubt and skepticism are roughly equivalent. However, doubt suggests both uncertainty and inability to make a decision.

plagued by doubts as to what to do

When is it sensible to use dubiety instead of skepticism?

The meanings of dubiety and skepticism largely overlap; however, dubiety stresses a wavering between conclusions.

felt some dubiety about its practicality

When might mistrust be a better fit than skepticism?

While the synonyms mistrust and skepticism are close in meaning, mistrust implies a genuine doubt based upon suspicion.

had a great mistrust of doctors

When could suspicion be used to replace skepticism?

The words suspicion and skepticism can be used in similar contexts, but suspicion stresses lack of faith in the truth, reality, fairness, or reliability of something or someone.

regarded the stranger with suspicion

Where would uncertainty be a reasonable alternative to skepticism?

While in some cases nearly identical to skepticism, uncertainty may range from a falling short of certainty to an almost complete lack of conviction or knowledge especially about an outcome or result.

assumed the role of manager without hesitation or uncertainty

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 skepticism The only high-profile Republican candidate who voiced skepticism about prioritizing redistricting was Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt. Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 3 Sep. 2025 This new direction appears to be driven by a focus on non-interventionism overseas, unless deemed necessary to protect immediate and tangible American interests, and a skepticism of efforts to promote political change in other states. Time, 3 Sep. 2025 By last school year, that rate had fallen to 88% amid increasing vaccine skepticism — the lowest in 20 years. Kirby Wilson, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2025 Regional presidents Beth Hammack from Cleveland, Atlanta's Raphael Bostic and Schmid in Kansas City have expressed skepticism about the need for a September cut, a position that could rile Trump and upset the market. Jeff Cox, CNBC, 21 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for skepticism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skepticism
Noun
  • There is no doubt, for example, that Moyes needed another midfielder.
    Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025
  • The beautiful ambivalence and mystery of Virgil’s own poetic art has both an aesthetic and a quasi-political function, in teaching the reader to remain in a cognitive place of doubt.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The sting resulted in the arrest of two men over suspicion of copyright infringement in El Sheikh Zayed City near the Greater Cairo metro area.
    Scharon Harding, ArsTechnica, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Any one visiting Russia in the past will know when the subject of China comes up, there are perpetual suspicions toward its territorial intentions in the far east of the country.
    Kerry Brown, Time, 4 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Amid the regulatory uncertainty, some pharmacies have said that access to the shots may vary state-by-state and may require a prescription.
    Jon Haworth, ABC News, 5 Sep. 2025
  • This is one of the key points causing uncertainty about access.
    Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 4 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Entrenched Chinese foreign policy positions, including territorial disputes and industrial subsidies that have flooded foreign markets with cheap exports, will likely remain friction points, experts say, while India's deep distrust of China will not dissipate because of one brief meeting.
    James Pomfret, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025
  • In an era marked by epidemics of loneliness and political distrust, sports fandom is one simple and universally accessible medicine.
    Todd Rogers, Time, 4 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Skepticism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skepticism. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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