View synonyms for skeptical

skeptical

or scep·ti·cal

[ skep-ti-kuhl ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

inclined to skepticism; having an attitude of doubt:
a skeptical young woman who will question whatever you say.
Synonyms: skeptic
doubtful about a particular thing:
My teacher thinks I can get a scholarship, but I'm skeptical.
showing doubt:
a skeptical smile.
denying or questioning the tenets of a religion:
a skeptical approach to the nature of miracles.
Synonyms: unbelieving
(initial capital letter) of or relating to Skeptics or Skepticism.

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Other Words From

skepti·cal·ly adverb
skepti·cal·ness noun
anti·skepti·cal adjective
non·skepti·cal adjective
over·skepti·cal adjective
over·skepti·cal·ly adverb
over·skepti·cal·ness noun
un·skepti·cal adjective
un·skepti·cal·ly adverb

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Word History and Origins

Origin of skeptical¹

First recorded in 1630–40; skeptic + -al ¹

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Synonym Study

See doubtful.

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Example Sentences

Faruq is understandably skeptical of all of it, especially the ways Odo seems gifted at extracting donations from very wealthy and devoted followers.

From Los Angeles Times

No, Trump's plea resembels that of a lovesick woman angrily defending her worthless boyfriend to skeptical friends.

From Salon

The decision would effectively end even the pretense of the court’s status as a guardian of the Constitution, which makes me skeptical that any of the justices besides Alito and Thomas would back it.

From Salon

I also am skeptical the corpse was a victim of a gunshot.

From Los Angeles Times

But some are skeptical about how far Burgum, the former governor of North Dakota and GOP presidential primary candidate, will go.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

skeptic skepticism

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