skeptical
adjective
skep·ti·cal
ˈskep-ti-kəl 
: relating to, characteristic of, or marked by skepticism
a skeptical listener
Synonyms
Examples of skeptical in a Sentence
She's highly skeptical of the researchers' claims.
He says he can win, but I remain skeptical.
When I said I'd finished my homework early, Mom looked skeptical.
Recent Examples on the Web
And few are as skeptical of modern work culture as the youngest generation of workers—Gen Zers, the oldest of whom are approaching 30.
—
Chloe Berger, Fortune, 4 Apr. 2024
Participants also wanted the ability to control the chatbot’s access to their data and were skeptical about chatbots replacing human interaction.
—Kat Tenbarge, NBC News, 3 Apr. 2024
The Insider also reveals that the two U.S. agencies best placed to understand these incidents, the Defense Intelligence Agency and the National Security Agency, are the most skeptical of the 2023 intelligence-community assessment.
—The Editors, National Review, 2 Apr. 2024
Nearly all of the early adopters and people concerned about internal-combustion engines' impact on the planet have bought electric vehicles, and now automakers are facing more skeptical mainstream buyers, Edmunds Director of Insights Ivan Drury said.
—Tom Krisher, Quartz, 2 Apr. 2024
Cabral, looking skeptical, asked what her salary was.
—Jon Lee Anderson, The New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2024
As always, convincing a skeptical public to make a big financial commitment with the promise of long-term savings will be no easy task.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2024
If this was a project where public money was going into it, [there would be] a greater justification for journalists to be skeptical.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 27 Mar. 2024
And analysts are growing more skeptical about what may follow a cessation in hostilities, whenever that may be and no matter U.N. resolutions.
—Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 26 Mar. 2024
Chloe Berger, Fortune, 4 Apr. 2024
Participants also wanted the ability to control the chatbot’s access to their data and were skeptical about chatbots replacing human interaction.
—Kat Tenbarge, NBC News, 3 Apr. 2024
The Insider also reveals that the two U.S. agencies best placed to understand these incidents, the Defense Intelligence Agency and the National Security Agency, are the most skeptical of the 2023 intelligence-community assessment.
—The Editors, National Review, 2 Apr. 2024
Nearly all of the early adopters and people concerned about internal-combustion engines' impact on the planet have bought electric vehicles, and now automakers are facing more skeptical mainstream buyers, Edmunds Director of Insights Ivan Drury said.
—Tom Krisher, Quartz, 2 Apr. 2024
Cabral, looking skeptical, asked what her salary was.
—Jon Lee Anderson, The New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2024
As always, convincing a skeptical public to make a big financial commitment with the promise of long-term savings will be no easy task.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2024
If this was a project where public money was going into it, [there would be] a greater justification for journalists to be skeptical.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 27 Mar. 2024
And analysts are growing more skeptical about what may follow a cessation in hostilities, whenever that may be and no matter U.N. resolutions.
—Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 26 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'skeptical.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1639, in the meaning defined above
Articles Related to skeptical
Dictionary Entries Near skeptical
Cite this Entry
“Skeptical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/skeptical. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
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Nglish: Translation of skeptical for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of skeptical for Arabic Speakers
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