skepticism

noun

ˈskep-tə-ˌsi-zəm How to pronounce skepticism (audio)
Definition of skepticismnext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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

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 skepticism Some college financial aid officers have expressed skepticism about upheaving the hundreds of employees in charge of a portfolio that rivals the biggest banks. —Zachary Schermele, USA TODAY, 6 Mar. 2025 Those gains quickly reversed as part of a broader sell-off on tariff concerns, but there is also lingering skepticism about the crypto reserve now that the market has had some time to digest it, JPMorgan’s Nikolaos Panigirtzoglou said in a note Wednesday. —Tanaya MacHeel, CNBC, 6 Mar. 2025 Crypto experts aren’t fans, either Some cryptocurrency experts expressed skepticism about Trump’s strategic crypto reserve idea in an email to Quartz. —Vinamrata Chaturvedi, Quartz, 4 Mar. 2025 Your company will likely immediately see tangible efficiency and productivity improvements, and successful AI use will alleviate employee skepticism. —Hunter Steele, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for skepticism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skepticism
  1. doubt
  2. suspicion
  3. uncertainty
  4. distrust
Noun
  • There’s little doubt that Ohtani will be back in the 2026 WBC with the Japanese team that is ranked first in the world.
    — Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 7 Mar. 2025
  • There's little doubt that AI will play an increasingly more prominent role in employee engagement, well-being and development.
    — Kevin Korte, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
Definition of doubt
Noun
  • The suspicion main producer Kim refers to is that, akin to those faced by the Love Island and Too Hot to Handle producers, audiences are starting to think some people are going on the show just to become famous.
    — Lily Ford, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Feb. 2025
  • On the dark side, Mercury in Scorpio often leads to suspicion or paranoia.
    — Valerie Mesa, People.com, 28 Feb. 2025
Definition of suspicion
Noun
  • Subscribe Tech stocks in Europe pulled back 3.1% at 4.16 p.m. London time, following their U.S. counterparts, which were down amid uncertainty over the impact of U.S. tariffs on the outlook for the world’s largest economy.
    — Chloe Taylor,Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 10 Mar. 2025
  • However, as 2025 rolls on, and if the headwinds from restrictive trade and immigration policy as well as overall uncertainty, continue to persist, that could lead to a more pronounced slowdown in economic activity that could trigger stress in financial markets.
    — Alicia Wallace, CNN, 10 Mar. 2025
Definition of uncertainty
Noun
  • Over the past eight years, social media platforms have been skillfully manipulated to provoke anger, rage, fear, and distrust, setting individuals and groups against one another.
    — Peter Suciu, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025
  • Like Nila—a budding photographer who paints a quote from Goethe above her desk—these kids are sensitive and artsy, with a proud distrust of mainstream German society.
    — Anahid Nersessian, The New Yorker, 5 Mar. 2025
Definition of distrust

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Cite this Entry

“Skepticism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skepticism. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on skepticism

Nglish: Translation of skepticism for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about skepticism

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