skeptical

/ˈskɛptɪkəl/

Say it: SKEP-ti-kuhl

1. adjective Not easily convinced; having doubts or reservations about something.
Scientists are trained to be skeptical of any claims that are not supported by strong evidence.
2. adjective Relating to the philosophical school of Skepticism, which holds that certain knowledge is impossible.
The ancient Greek philosopher Pyrrho was a key figure in the skeptical tradition.

📖 Seen in the wild

The scientist remained skeptical of the unproven claims until more evidence was presented.
collected by @vocablast

✏️ skeptical in a sentence

Financial analysts remain skeptical about the company's optimistic profit forecasts for the next quarter.
He told me he saw a ghost, but honestly, I'm pretty skeptical.
My boss was initially skeptical of the new strategy, but the early results have won her over.
Even after the product demonstration, a few members of the crowd looked skeptical.
She cast a skeptical eye over the contract before signing, reading every line of the fine print.
It's healthy to be skeptical of information you find on the internet until you can verify the source.
Her skeptical nature had been forged in years of disappointment, leaving her slow to trust.

🔁 Synonyms & antonyms

doubtful incredulous suspicious cynical unconvinced disbelieving wary questioning

doubtful · implies a personal lack of confidence or certainty.

incredulous · suggests a stronger sense of disbelief, often in response to something surprising.

suspicious · implies a belief that something is wrong or that someone is being deceptive.

cynical · implies a general distrust of others' motives, not just a specific claim.

Opposites: convinced, certain, believing, trusting, gullible

🌱 Where it comes from

The word 'skeptical' traces back to the Greek 'skeptikos', meaning 'inquirer' or 'one who reflects'. This came from the verb 'skeptesthai', 'to consider or examine'. The term was adopted by a school of Greek philosophers who withheld judgment because they believed true certainty was unattainable, cementing the word's association with doubt and questioning.

🧩 How it's used

Common patterns:

skeptical of/aboutremain skepticala skeptical eyea skeptical audiencedeeply skepticalinitially skeptical

Don't confuse 'skeptical' with 'cynical'. Being skeptical is about needing evidence before you believe something; it's a core part of rational thought. Being cynical is about assuming the worst in people's motives. A skeptic says 'show me the proof', while a cynic says 'they're probably lying for their own benefit'. The word is commonly followed by the prepositions 'of' or 'about', both of which are correct.

Word family: skeptic, skepticism, skeptically

💬 Quick answers

What does it mean to be skeptical?

It means you have doubts and are not easily convinced about something. A skeptical person wants to see proof or strong evidence before they believe a claim.

What's the difference between skeptical and cynical?

A skeptical person doubts a claim until they see evidence, which is an open-minded stance. A cynical person generally distrusts the motives of others, assuming they are selfish, which is a more negative and closed-minded view.

Is being skeptical a good or bad thing?

It is generally considered a positive trait, as it represents critical thinking and a desire for truth. It encourages questioning and investigation rather than blindly accepting information.

Do you say 'skeptical of' or 'skeptical about'?

Both prepositions are correct and widely used. 'Skeptical about' is slightly more common in modern usage, but you can use either one interchangeably.

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