skeptic

noun

skep·​tic ˈskep-tik 

1

: an adherent or advocate of skepticism

2

: a person disposed to skepticism especially regarding religion or religious principles

Synonyms of skeptic

• questioner

Examples of skeptic in a Sentence

Skeptics have pointed out flaws in the researchers' methods.

You can believe in ghosts if you like, but I'm still a skeptic.

He is a skeptic and a cynic.

Recent Examples on the Web

Nvidia, for its part, has pushed back against its skeptics. —Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 24 Nov. 2025

Well, that’s enough to get even the biggest buttermilk skeptic to try it! —Libby Monteith Minor, Southern Living, 24 Nov. 2025

For these and other safety reasons, skeptics in the industry allege that companies promising to deliver domestic robots in a matter of years are overly optimistic. —James Vincent, Harpers Magazine, 23 Nov. 2025

Professional skeptics like Kennedy thrive on raising questions—but the public thrives on getting answers. —Benjamin Mazer, The Atlantic, 21 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin or Greek; Latin scepticus, from Greek skeptikos, from skeptikos thoughtful, from skeptesthai to look, consider — more at spy

First Known Use

1587, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for skeptic

• peptic
• sceptic
• septic
• antiepileptic
• antiseptic
• epileptic
• neuroleptic
• aseptic
• dyspeptic
• organoleptic

Kids Definition

skeptic

noun

skep·​tic ˈskep-tik 

: a person slow to believe or ready to question : doubter