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

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

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 The companies' pledges have met with skepticism from some critics. — ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026 Vaccine experts worry that the decline in coverage is linked to skepticism about vaccines from Kennedy and others. — Ciara McCarthy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Oct. 2026 Versant has faced skepticism since its January debut, with its stock price falling 29%. — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 20 Oct. 2026 Chutkan has also voiced skepticism of responses from government lawyers over her requests for details on plans for the arch, reflecting the judiciary’s growing mistrust of the executive. — Gary Fields, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for skepticism

Recent Examples of Synonyms for skepticism

Noun

Election deniers are using public records to sow doubt in California.

— Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
Those fiscal strains come as political volatility and social unrest raise doubts about the government’s ability to deliver measures aimed at stabilizing the public finances.

— Jenni Reid,Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of doubt

Noun

Given that the dynamic between Europe and Russia is now characterized by pervasive mutual suspicion, conspiracy theories, and expectations of war, there is a growing danger of inadvertent escalation.

— Dmitry Adamsky, Foreign Affairs, 21 Oct. 2026
Anxiety and suspicion about robot infiltrators are everywhere — and so are people claiming to hunt the robots down.

— T.M. Brown, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of suspicion

Noun

Admirers viewed him as a capable leader who could steer the nation through global uncertainties, the image carefully crafted by the mainstream media.

— JOVANA GEC, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
Taiwanese officials and companies described these systems as a way to introduce uncertainty and danger for an approaching force.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of uncertainty

Noun

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in March that the previous disruptions of negotiating rounds had increased distrust in Washington.

— Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
Pangram has entered the public consciousness at a time of distrust that goes beyond writing.

— T.M. Brown, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of distrust

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

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Synonyms of skepticism

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Synonyms of skepticism

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'Incredible' or 'Incredulous'?

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