doubt 1 of 2

doubt

2 of 2

verb

as in to question
to have no trust or confidence in I doubt that you can do all that you say

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun doubt differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of doubt are dubiety, mistrust, skepticism, suspicion, and uncertainty. While all these words mean "lack of sureness about someone or something," doubt suggests both uncertainty and inability to make a decision.

plagued by doubts as to what to do

When might dubiety be a better fit than doubt?

The synonyms dubiety and doubt are sometimes interchangeable, but dubiety stresses a wavering between conclusions.

felt some dubiety about its practicality

When could mistrust be used to replace doubt?

The meanings of mistrust and doubt largely overlap; however, mistrust implies a genuine doubt based upon suspicion.

had a great mistrust of doctors

When would skepticism be a good substitute for doubt?

The words skepticism and doubt can be used in similar contexts, but skepticism implies unwillingness to believe without conclusive evidence.

an economic forecast greeted with skepticism

When is suspicion a more appropriate choice than doubt?

Although the words suspicion and doubt have much in common, suspicion stresses lack of faith in the truth, reality, fairness, or reliability of something or someone.

regarded the stranger with suspicion

When is it sensible to use uncertainty instead of doubt?

In some situations, the words uncertainty and doubt are roughly equivalent. However, 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

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of doubt
Noun
There is no doubt in my mind people believed it because Mel was involved. New York Daily News, 29 Mar. 2025 However, influential skeptics such as Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have long raised doubts about the benefits of fluoride. Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 28 Mar. 2025
Verb
Soon, he was flooded with messages from a group text thread of his best friends, sharing social media posts doubting McCollum. Cj Moore, The Athletic, 21 Mar. 2025 Students have raised their SAT scores by over 350 points, and many who once doubted their potential have gained acceptance to Ivy League institutions. Lauren Carpenter, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for doubt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for doubt
Noun
  • Over 10 days, formerly successful romance novelist Frances must cast aside her skepticism and immerse herself in the intriguing guests and hosts at Tranquillum House.
    Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Musk has said Tesla will launch a driverless ride-hailing business in Austin, Texas in June, but some analysts are voicing skepticism about the company’s ability to meet that deadline.
    Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 31 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Trump said the auto tariffs would be permanent throughout his term, but Murphy and other analysts question whether tariffs are being used as a negotiation tactic.
    Bailey Schulz, USA Today, 29 Mar. 2025
  • However, financial markets are beginning to question whether this era of American exceptionalism is coming to an end.
    Garth Friesen, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • While some nations view golden visas with suspicion, Americans are flocking to them.
    Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 20 Mar. 2025
  • He was handcuffed and arrested on suspicion, according to the report.
    Alexandra Koch, Fox News, 17 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Investigators suspected a serial killer, but for over 10 years, no arrests were made.
    Kelsey Lentz, People.com, 30 Mar. 2025
  • In 2023, Cook and Mertz came out with an improved algorithm that used much less memory—barely more than the maximum allowed for problems in L. Many researchers now suspect that tree evaluation is in L after all, and that a proof is only a matter of time.
    Ben Brubaker, Wired News, 30 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • It’s filled with moments of uncertainty, mid-sentence realizations and mental sticky notes.
    Cheryl Robinson, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025
  • The Energy Department on Monday approved the release of nearly $57 million from the loan, a sign that the Trump administration supports the project amid the turmoil and uncertainty in Washington over federal funding for projects started under the Biden administration.
    Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 22 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Doubt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/doubt. Accessed 5 Apr. 2025.

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