skepticism

noun

skep·ti·cism ˈskep-tə-ˌsi-zəm

Synonyms of skepticism next

: an attitude of doubt or a disposition to incredulity either in general or toward a particular object

: the doctrine that true knowledge or knowledge in a particular area is uncertain

: the method of suspended judgment, systematic doubt, or criticism characteristic of skeptics

: doubt concerning basic religious principles (such as immortality, providence, and revelation)

Choose the Right Synonym for skepticism

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 skepticism in a Sentence

She regarded the researcher's claims with skepticism. It's good to maintain a healthy skepticism about fad diets.

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Then again, in that same interview, Brown expressed skepticism about whether the British public would also welcome his American wife back into a royal role. —

Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024 Although this is a worrying trend, growing Taiwanese skepticism of the United States has not translated into a greater desire to unify with Beijing. HARDENED STEEL China’s gray-zone campaign, intended to help achieve unification, is instead pushing Taiwan further away. —

David Sacks, Foreign Affairs, 8 Nov. 2024 Trump has outlined several broad themes that could affect the business of tech, including wider leeway for the cryptocurrency industry and skepticism of the Justice Department’s antitrust case seeking a possible breakup of Google. —

David Ingram, NBC News, 6 Nov. 2024 That said, perhaps the most powerful protection against inflated salaries in Congress is the ballot box, and the voting public's general skepticism toward increases in Senate pay. —

Anne Marie Lee, CBS News, 5 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for skepticism