skeptical

Or scep·ti·cal

[skep-ti-kuhl]

adjective

1. inclined to skepticism; having an attitude of doubt.

   a skeptical young woman who will question whatever you say.

   Synonyms: skeptic

2. doubtful about a particular thing.

   My teacher thinks I can get a scholarship, but I'm skeptical.

3. showing doubt.

   a skeptical smile.

4. denying or questioning the tenets of a religion.

   a skeptical approach to the nature of miracles.

   Synonyms: unbelieving

5. (initial capital letter),  of or relating to Skeptics or Skepticism.

Other Word Forms

• skeptically adverb
• skepticalness noun
• antiskeptical adjective
• nonskeptical adjective
• overskeptical adjective
• overskeptically adverb
• overskepticalness noun
• unskeptical adjective
• unskeptically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of skeptical¹

First recorded in 1630–40; skeptic + -al ¹

Synonym Study

See doubtful.

Example Sentences

But the survivors and their supporters were skeptical, and it’s no wonder.

From Salon

“Even though Easy is skeptical about a woman being a detective,” he explains, “he recognizes it’s the 1970s and, with the women’s movement, he’s willing to help her if that’s what she wants.”

From Los Angeles Times

In a closed-door briefing with House Republicans, aides pressed lawmakers to sharpen their pitch to skeptical voters and lean into new messaging that centers on “working families,” according to a report from Politico.

From Salon

Wealthy candidates face a significant “empathy canyon” with voters, who remain skeptical that individuals with hundreds of millions of dollars can genuinely understand the daily struggles of average Californians earning median household incomes.

From Los Angeles Times

Kelsey Gray, a member of the Columbus Education Association, a chapter of the Ohio Education Association, was more skeptical about Brown’s newly launched campaign.

From Salon

Related Words

• doubtful 
• dubious 
• incredulous 
• mistrustful 
• suspicious 
• unconvinced