SKEPTICISM Synonyms: 37 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'skepticism' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of skepticism are doubt , dubiety , mistrust , suspicion , and uncertainty . While all these words mean "lack of sureness about someone or something," skepticism implies unwillingness to believe without conclusive evidence. // an economic forecast greeted with skepticism

Q: In what contexts can 'doubt' take the place of 'skepticism'?

In some situations, the words doubt and skepticism are roughly equivalent. However, doubt suggests both uncertainty and inability to make a decision. // plagued by doubts as to what to do

Q: When is it sensible to use 'dubiety' instead of 'skepticism'?

The meanings of dubiety and skepticism largely overlap; however, dubiety stresses a wavering between conclusions. // felt some dubiety about its practicality

Q: When might 'mistrust' be a better fit than 'skepticism'?

While the synonyms mistrust and skepticism are close in meaning, mistrust implies a genuine doubt based upon suspicion. // had a great mistrust of doctors

Q: When could 'suspicion' be used to replace 'skepticism'?

The words suspicion and skepticism can be used in similar contexts, but suspicion stresses lack of faith in the truth, reality, fairness, or reliability of something or someone. // regarded the stranger with suspicion

Q: Where would 'uncertainty' be a reasonable alternative to 'skepticism'?

While in some cases nearly identical to skepticism , 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

skepticism

noun

ˈskep-tə-ˌsi-zəm

Definition of skepticism next

as in doubt

a feeling or attitude that one does not know the truth, truthfulness, or trustworthiness of someone or something our alibi was met with skepticism at first, but we gradually convinced them of the truth

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How does the noun skepticism differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of skepticism are doubt, dubiety, mistrust, suspicion, and uncertainty. While all these words mean "lack of sureness about someone or something," skepticism implies unwillingness to believe without conclusive evidence.

an economic forecast greeted with skepticism

In what contexts can doubt take the place of skepticism?

In some situations, the words doubt and skepticism are roughly equivalent. However, doubt suggests both uncertainty and inability to make a decision.

plagued by doubts as to what to do

When is it sensible to use dubiety instead of skepticism?

The meanings of dubiety and skepticism largely overlap; however, dubiety stresses a wavering between conclusions.

felt some dubiety about its practicality

When might mistrust be a better fit than skepticism?

While the synonyms mistrust and skepticism are close in meaning, mistrust implies a genuine doubt based upon suspicion.

had a great mistrust of doctors

When could suspicion be used to replace skepticism?

The words suspicion and skepticism can be used in similar contexts, but suspicion stresses lack of faith in the truth, reality, fairness, or reliability of something or someone.

regarded the stranger with suspicion

Where would uncertainty be a reasonable alternative to skepticism?

While in some cases nearly identical to skepticism, 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

Examples 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 skepticism In recent years, Bitcoin has found a significantly growing appetite among institutional investors, helping to cement its emerging status as a mainstream asset and defying skepticism in some corners of the financial world. —

Jason Fields, Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2024 President-elect Donald Trump’s appointees to run the nation’s health agencies have been assailed by Democratic lawmakers for their embrace of unproven medical theories, such as Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s vaccine skepticism. —

Bloomberg, Fortune, 4 Dec. 2024 DeSantis also largely aligns with Trump's foreign policy worldview on issues like skepticism over aid to Ukraine and prioritizing competition with China. —

Colin Demarest, Axios, 4 Dec. 2024 Despite past skepticism of digital currencies, Trump is surrounding himself with pro-crypto voices as heads back to the White House and bolstering confidence in the industry. —

Miranda Nazzaro, The Hill, 1 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for skepticism

Recent Examples of Synonyms for skepticism

Noun

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
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