doubt

1 of 2

verb

ˈdau̇t 

doubted; doubting; doubts

transitive verb

1

: to call into question the truth of : to be uncertain or in doubt about

He doubts everyone's word.

2

a

: to lack confidence in : distrust

… find myself doubting him even when I know that he is honest …

—H. L. Mencken

b

: to consider unlikely

I doubt if I can go.

3

archaic

a

: fear

… I doubt I have been beguiled!

—Sir Walter Scott

b

: suspect

intransitive verb

: to be uncertain

doubtable

ˈdau̇-tə-bəl 

adjective

doubter noun

doubtingly

ˈdau̇-tiŋ-lē 

adverb

doubt

2 of 2

noun

plural doubts

1

a

: a lack of confidence : distrust

has doubts about his abilities

b

: an inclination not to believe or accept

a claim met with doubt

2

a

: uncertainty of belief or opinion that often interferes with decision-making

b

: a deliberate suspension of judgment

3

: a state of affairs giving rise to uncertainty, hesitation, or suspense

The outcome is still in doubt.

Phrases

no doubt

: doubtless entry 1

Synonyms

Verb

• distrust
• misdoubt
• mistrust
• question
• suspect

Noun

• distrust
• distrustfulness
• dubiety
• dubitation [archaic]
• incertitude
• misdoubt
• misgiving
• mistrust
• mistrustfulness
• query
• reservation
• skepticism
• suspicion
• uncertainty

Choose the Right Synonym for doubt

uncertainty, doubt, dubiety, skepticism, suspicion, mistrust mean lack of sureness about someone or something.

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

doubt suggests both uncertainty and inability to make a decision.

plagued by doubts as to what to do

dubiety stresses a wavering between conclusions.

felt some dubiety about its practicality

skepticism implies unwillingness to believe without conclusive evidence.

an economic forecast greeted with skepticism

suspicion stresses lack of faith in the truth, reality, fairness, or reliability of something or someone.

regarded the stranger with suspicion

mistrust implies a genuine doubt based upon suspicion.

had a great mistrust of doctors

Examples of doubt in a Sentence

Verb

I have always doubted the existence of life on other planets.

No one doubts that the mission will be a success.

I seriously doubt my parents will let me go.

“Do you think you can come tonight?” “I doubt it.”

She doubted his ability to succeed.

He said he could do it, but I couldn't help doubting him.

Noun

I still have moments of doubt.

There can be little doubt that smoking is bad for your health.

I had a nagging doubt in the back of my mind.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Su doubts the rule will be finished under the next administration. —Andrea Hsu, NPR, 17 Dec. 2024

Despite the reports, some are doubting that anything serious is going on. —Steve Almasy, CNN, 16 Dec. 2024

Noun

But experts have expressed doubts on Moscow's ability or willingness to dedicate the resources necessary to save Assad amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. —Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2024

This is the music that carried us through break ups and mean girls, micro aggressions and self doubt, but also lifted us through mile 24 of a marathon and bachelorette weekends, slumber parties and carpool lines. —Laura Trujillo, USA TODAY, 7 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

Middle English douten, from Anglo-French duter, douter, from Latin dubitare to be in doubt; akin to Latin dubius dubious

First Known Use

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 3a

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Phrases Containing doubt

• a shadow of (a) doubt
• beyond a reasonable doubt
• beyond a shadow of a doubt
• beyond doubt
• call into doubt
• cast doubt on
• cast/throw doubt on
• in doubt
• no doubt
• no doubt about it
• no doubt in someone's mind
• self-doubt
• the benefit of the doubt
• without (a) doubt

Kids Definition

doubt

1 of 2 verb

ˈdau̇t 

1

: to be uncertain about

doubts her sincerity

2

: to lack confidence in

doubted his own abilities

3

: to consider unlikely

doubt if I can go

doubtable

-ə-bəl 

adjective

doubter noun

doubtingly

-iŋ-lē 

adverb

doubt

2 of 2 noun

1

: uncertainty of belief or opinion

2

: the state of being uncertain

the outcome is in doubt

3

a

: a lack of confidence

b

: an inclination not to believe or accept