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

Companies like Runway see themselves as a bridge between the Silicon Valley hypesters and Hollywood skeptics, catering to filmmakers with tools and eschewing social applications like ByteDance’s Seesaw (The Brad Pitt-Tom Cruise fight people). —Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 1 Apr. 2026

This has thrilled skeptics of post-Biden Democrats, who wonder why no other potential candidate will say, as Emanuel did to Megyn Kelly, that a man cannot become a woman — and then defend that opinion to NPR. —David Weigel, semafor.com, 1 Apr. 2026

Many skeptics doubted there was demand for a network featuring round the clock, yearlong NFL news, information and analysis. —Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 31 Mar. 2026

The shift toward vibe coding has its skeptics. —Mohith Shrivastava, Fortune, 31 Mar. 2026

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