1
as in suspicious
inclined to doubt or question claims
it's good to be skeptical about what you see on TV
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2
as in unsure
not feeling sure about the truth, wisdom, or trustworthiness of someone or something
I'm a little skeptical of this low bid, since it's way below what the other contractors said that they would charge
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Recent Examples of skeptical
Still skeptical, Bellinger declined the chance to use him and shortly after his trade to the Yankees, the 2019 National League MVP converted into a believer after seeing a more advanced model.
—
Larry Fleisher, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
Factors like that make some progressives even more skeptical of Trump’s motives in floating the idea of a third term.
—Niall Stanage, The Hill, 31 Mar. 2025
Berman Jackson has been skeptical of government efforts Through the hearings so far, Judge Berman Jackson has appeared skeptical of the government's arguments, asking pointed questions to the attorneys representing the Trump administration.
—Laurel Wamsley, NPR, 28 Mar. 2025
As a result, the nation is less prepared for another pandemic, and a larger portion of the public is apt to be skeptical of efforts to confront future outbreaks, even when such measures are necessary.
—Orlando Sentinel and Virginian Pilot Editorial Boards, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for skeptical
Larry Fleisher, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
Factors like that make some progressives even more skeptical of Trump’s motives in floating the idea of a third term.
—Niall Stanage, The Hill, 31 Mar. 2025
Berman Jackson has been skeptical of government efforts Through the hearings so far, Judge Berman Jackson has appeared skeptical of the government's arguments, asking pointed questions to the attorneys representing the Trump administration.
—Laurel Wamsley, NPR, 28 Mar. 2025
As a result, the nation is less prepared for another pandemic, and a larger portion of the public is apt to be skeptical of efforts to confront future outbreaks, even when such measures are necessary.
—Orlando Sentinel and Virginian Pilot Editorial Boards, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for skeptical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skeptical
Adjective
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At least 11 cables were damaged in the Baltic Sea within 15 months, the alliance heavily suspicious of Russian influence.—
John W. Dean,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Apr. 2025
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The incident is being investigated by the San Diego County Sheriff’s homicide unit because authorities found the nature of the death to be suspicious, Lt. Juan Márquez said.—
Kristen Taketa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Anyone who was at either of the Grapevine locations March 28-30 and is unvaccinated or unsure of their vaccination status is at risk of contracting measles, Tarrant officials said.—
Matt Leclercq,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 Apr. 2025
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Republicans were the most divided, with 31% in support, 27% in opposition and 42% unsure.—
Brendan Rascius,
Miami Herald,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Dawn Staley, who’s undefeated in NCAA finals, is cautious in taking that fact into consideration.—
Roberta F. Rodrigues,
Forbes.com,
5 Apr. 2025
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Those with heart conditions, including a recent heart attack or stroke, should also be cautious about taking medications that contain PDE5 inhibitors.30 The safety and side effects of the ingredients in ExtenZe have not been studied in clinical trials.—
Jessica Swirble,
Verywell Health,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Cunningham, meanwhile, was doubtful to suit up through a left calf contusion.—
Ron Estes,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2025
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One day after being listed as doubtful for Wednesday’s game against the Phoenix Suns with a left ankle sprain, Tatum was upgraded to questionable.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The Romans were incredulous that anyone would glorify a Jew.—
Judith Shulevitz,
The Atlantic,
1 Apr. 2025
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The idea that within eight months, SpaceX engineers could not only launch Starship into orbit, but embark on a six-day journey around the moon and safely return to Earth was incredulous.—
Cheyenne Roundtree,
Rolling Stone,
31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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And the partnership comes as TikTok’s future in the U.S. is uncertain.—
Lillian Rizzo,
CNBC,
2 Apr. 2025
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Aside from the retroactive tariffs expected to be announced this afternoon by the White House, not only is the imposition of secondary sanctions on buyers of Russian highly uncertain, but their possible nature remains inscrutable.—
Michael Lynch,
Forbes.com,
2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Although careful planning is essential, action generates momentum.—
Chris Gallagher,
USA Today,
8 Apr. 2025
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Overall, Coney Barrett took a very careful route, avoiding the more strident criticism of the Trump administration while siding with the liberals in criticizing the Supreme Court majority for agreeing to take the case.—
Sean O'Driscoll,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Subject to partisan litmus tests, military leaders might be wary of offering advice that contradicts the administration’s priorities.—
Risa Brooks,
Foreign Affairs,
8 Apr. 2025
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That might mean that a recession caused by the Trump administration's tariff policy would actually drive adoption of artificial intelligence by companies that have so far been wary of the tech.—
Jeremy Kahn,
Fortune,
8 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Skeptical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skeptical. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.
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