skepticism

noun

skep·​ti·​cism ˈskep-tə-ˌsi-zəm How to pronounce skepticism (audio)
1
: an attitude of doubt or a disposition to incredulity either in general or toward a particular object
2
a
: the doctrine that true knowledge or knowledge in a particular area is uncertain
b
: the method of suspended judgment, systematic doubt, or criticism characteristic of skeptics
3
: doubt concerning basic religious principles (such as immortality, providence, and revelation)
Choose the Right Synonym for skepticism

uncertainty, doubt, dubiety, skepticism, suspicion, mistrust mean lack of sureness about someone or something.

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

doubt suggests both uncertainty and inability to make a decision.

plagued by doubts as to what to do

dubiety stresses a wavering between conclusions.

felt some dubiety about its practicality

skepticism implies unwillingness to believe without conclusive evidence.

an economic forecast greeted with skepticism

suspicion stresses lack of faith in the truth, reality, fairness, or reliability of something or someone.

regarded the stranger with suspicion

mistrust implies a genuine doubt based upon suspicion.

had a great mistrust of doctors

Examples of skepticism in a Sentence

She regarded the researcher's claims with skepticism. It's good to maintain a healthy skepticism about fad diets.
Recent Examples on the Web Rather than being a cause for skepticism, the presence of such an agenda makes the result all the more meaningful. Peter Debruge, Variety, 14 Mar. 2024 Cannon voiced skepticism during the hearing at Trump’s claims that he could not be charged because the wording of the Espionage Act was too murky, and a different law called the Presidential Records Act was too broad. Devlin Barrett, Washington Post, 14 Mar. 2024 Experts also expressed skepticism about any guidance trackers offer. Kristen Fischer, Health, 12 Mar. 2024 Law and Justice used anti-German rhetoric and propaganda to mobilize certain parts of the Polish electorate, capitalizing on the public’s skepticism about Germany’s foreign policy choices, especially its treatment of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Foreign Affairs, 12 Mar. 2024 And there’s lingering skepticism about its newest innovation, the Apple Vision Pro. Laura Bratton, Quartz, 8 Mar. 2024 That’s why several experts who have voiced skepticism about enshrining the Anthropocene emphasized that the vote against it shouldn’t be read as a referendum among scientists on the broad state of the Earth. Raymond Zhong, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2024 Campaigns that are trailing in the polls often impugn them, of course, but Biden aides cite reasons for their skepticism. Evan Osnos, The New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2024 In what some are calling a post-truth world, skepticism is going to grow, so authenticity will be vital to maintaining brand loyalty. Bart Caylor, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'skepticism.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of skepticism was in 1646

Dictionary Entries Near skepticism

Cite this Entry

“Skepticism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/skepticism. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

skepticism

noun
skep·​ti·​cism ˈskep-tə-ˌsiz-əm How to pronounce skepticism (audio)
: an attitude of doubt

More from Merriam-Webster on skepticism

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