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 When Axsome went public in 2015, Wall Street was skeptical and the company’s stock puttered along under $10 for years. — Amy Feldman, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026 Newsom has stated that in-person collaboration, mentorship and building trust with the government are primary reasons for the policy change — but many state workers are skeptical of this reasoning. — William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2026 Gorsuch was skeptical about Chatrie’s expectation of privacy after allowing Google access to his location data. — Bart Jansen, USA Today, 29 June 2026 Political turmoil intensifies as resignations, Russia’s rising threat and pressure from a skeptical United States leave Britain’s next leader to prove the plan can truly safeguard Europe. — Jill Lawless, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 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
  • Large-scale events involve tabletop exercises with law enforcement, fire departments, emergency managers and venue officials running through countless scenarios — evacuations, suspicious packages, drones and crowd surges.
    — Bryan West, USA Today, 1 July 2026
  • Residents who witness suspicious activity can contact non-emergency dispatch at 503-629-0111 or call 911 when appropriate.
    — Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026
Definition of suspicious
Adjective
  • Standards are high at the Etihad Stadium after 10 years of Guardiola and Manchester City is counting on Maresca being the right man to keep this going even if many of the club’s own supporters are unsure.
    — Graham Ruthven, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
  • People are unsure about the industry for good reason, with everything happening with AI and in the world.
    — Clayton Davis, Variety, 28 June 2026
Definition of unsure
Adjective
  • Consumer confidence ticked up in June after weeks of anxiety tied to the conflict, though people remain cautious as worries about jobs and prices persist.
    — David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 4 July 2026
  • Gymshark’s growth has slowed as competition has intensified and consumers have become more cautious about spending.
    — Robert Olsen, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
Definition of cautious
Adjective
  • Reece James and Jarell Quansah are both doubtful due to injury, and Tino Livramento is out of the tournament entirely.
    — Christopher Harris, CBS News, 1 July 2026
  • Jimmy sounds doubtful that Carmy will agree to it.
    — Jen Chaney, Vulture, 26 June 2026
Definition of doubtful
Adjective
  • On several occasions throughout the game, Lakers players were incredulous after calls – or non-calls – from the crew.
    — Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 8 May 2026
  • On several occasions, Lakers players were incredulous after calls — or no-calls — from the crew.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 May 2026
Definition of incredulous
Adjective
  • Harvard Health has taken a critical look at Apollo Neuro, and Medscape has warned about uncertain efficacy in at-home vagus stimulation devices.
    — Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 3 July 2026
  • At the edge of an uncertain frontier, the founders organized people, knowledge, and governance in a way that could survive the unknown.
    — Ashok N. Srivastava, Fortune, 3 July 2026
Definition of uncertain
Adjective
  • Determination and careful calculations — hold on, carry the 2 — are a must.
    — Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 2 July 2026
  • Graduate students face lower federal limits and the loss of Grad PLUS, requiring careful financial planning.
    — Scott White, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of careful
Adjective
  • But be wary of high heat forecast for Washington this weekend, as event schedules are subject to change amid sweltering temperatures.
    — Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 4 July 2026
  • Iran may also be wary of attacks by the exiled Mujahadin-e Khalq (MeK), which Iran accuses of carrying out attacks inside Iran over several decades.
    — Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 4 July 2026
Definition of wary

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Cite this Entry

“Skeptical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skeptical. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of skeptical for Spanish Speakers

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