skeptical

adjective

ˈskep-ti-kəl How to pronounce skeptical (audio)
Definition of skepticalnext
1
as in suspicious
inclined to doubt or question claims it's good to be skeptical about what you see on TV

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 skeptical Photograph by Michael Friberg for the New Yorker Henderson was skeptical. — Barton Gellman, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2026 Conservative scholars say there are a number of candidates, but so far nobody has come forward and many are skeptical if anyone will volunteer. — ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026 Read his full profile of Sharma for more on Microsoft’s Xbox strategy and the unlikely non-gamer CEO who has won over the skeptical gaming community. — Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026 Those skeptical officials who have expressed little need for urgency include Fed Vice Chairman Philip Jefferson and New York Fed President John Williams. — Sarah Min, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for skeptical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skeptical
  1. suspicious
  2. unsure
  3. cautious
  4. doubtful
  5. incredulous
  6. uncertain
  7. careful
  8. wary
Adjective
  • The authentication process combines human expertise and AI integration to flag any suspicious activity and ensure that listings follow commercial industry standards.
    — Sophie Lou Wilson, Vogue, 26 Oct. 2026
  • What readers are saying The comments discuss a case involving a person who sent letters containing a suspicious substance, with many commenters criticizing the individual's intelligence for including his return address.
    — Violet Jira, Washington Post, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of suspicious
Adjective
  • The Salt Lake County clerk requests assistance to secure the polls, but the sheriff, unsure about jurisdiction, declines.
    — Barton Gellman, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2026
  • The equipment truck had left spring training in Tempe, Arizona, and was in Salt Lake City, unsure where to go, when Selig called traveling secretary Tommy Ferguson, who had held the same job with the Braves.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of unsure
Adjective
  • Be cautious about unfamiliar apps with extensive permissions.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
  • And while Denton appears to be the right person to focus on cost savings and efficiencies, Wall Street remained cautious on the timing of Nike’s turnaround.
    — Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of cautious
Adjective
  • Sixth-year back Landon Walker, who took over for Payne in Waco, is listed as doubtful.
    — Steven Johnson. Story produced with AI assistance, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Bell, who was listed as doubtful, has appeared in all six games this season, recording 10 tackles.
    — Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of doubtful
Adjective
  • In a true turn of events that would seem almost incredulous in a Hollywood script, the boss of a now defunct production company that specialized in true crime is wanted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
    — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The title comes from a phrase that became part of his creative vocabulary and began appearing in sketches whenever an absurd situation called for a perfectly incredulous response.
    — Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of incredulous
Adjective
  • Those assumptions can be quite uncertain when designing an entirely new study.
    — Mark Louie F. Ramos, STAT, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Specialists recommend seeking a second opinion from a neurologist who specializes in MS when a diagnosis is uncertain, particularly before starting medications that affect the immune system.
    — Jasmine Arenas, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of uncertain
Adjective
  • And so far, things seem to be operating smoothly — something local residents have grown to expect, given the high caliber of local elections officials and the careful oversight of political parties.
    — Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026
  • His work is known for its careful handling of color and its feel for the mood of ordinary days.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of careful
Adjective
  • Haugen is wary of entering a 10- to 15-year lock up at high interest rates.
    — Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The president lost in court, but Democrats are still wary of mail-in voting as the midterm election approaches.
    — Laura Meckler, Washington Post, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of wary

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skeptical
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Cite this Entry

“Skeptical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skeptical. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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