skeptical
adjective
skep·ti·cal ˈskep-ti-kəl 
: relating to, characteristic of, or marked by skepticism
a skeptical listener
skeptically
ˈskep-ti-k(ə-)lē
adverb 
Synonyms
- disbelieving
- distrustful
- doubting
- incredulous
- mistrustful
- negativistic
- questioning
- show-me
- suspecting
- suspicious
- unbelieving
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
She's highly skeptical of the researchers' claims. He says he can win, but I remain skeptical. When I said I'd finished my homework early, Mom looked skeptical.
Recent Examples on the Web Even before all this new scrutiny, many Britons were skeptical of the royal family. 
Adam Taylor, Washington Post, 14 Sep. 2022 Finally, to those who join a family after a loved one’s passing, adult children can be very dedicated to a deceased loved one and be skeptical of your intentions. Tribune News Service, al, 13 Sep. 2022 But given Wellstar’s wealth as a hospital system, some are skeptical of its dedication to solving the problem. Katherine Landergan, ajc, 12 Sep. 2022 At one point, even Biden was skeptical of an administration’s ability to take such action. Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, 9 Sep. 2022 Joe Fisher, a 55-year-old hospital manager in Erie, is skeptical of Oz, in large part because of the residency issue, but plans to vote for him regardless. Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2022 Some users were immediately skeptical of the photos' authenticity. Morgan Sung, NBC News, 7 Sep. 2022 Lewis didn’t present his Narnia stories to the group for discussion, which is probably good because Tolkien was skeptical of their depth. Emma Fraser, Town & Country, 4 Sep. 2022 But even with the three sworn declarations and the incident involving the 16-year-old, the private investigators — who had seen their fair share of vindictive exes — were skeptical of Bidwell’s claims and broader suspicions about her husband. Samuel Braslow, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Sep. 2022 See More
Adam Taylor, Washington Post, 14 Sep. 2022 Finally, to those who join a family after a loved one’s passing, adult children can be very dedicated to a deceased loved one and be skeptical of your intentions. Tribune News Service, al, 13 Sep. 2022 But given Wellstar’s wealth as a hospital system, some are skeptical of its dedication to solving the problem. Katherine Landergan, ajc, 12 Sep. 2022 At one point, even Biden was skeptical of an administration’s ability to take such action. Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, 9 Sep. 2022 Joe Fisher, a 55-year-old hospital manager in Erie, is skeptical of Oz, in large part because of the residency issue, but plans to vote for him regardless. Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2022 Some users were immediately skeptical of the photos' authenticity. Morgan Sung, NBC News, 7 Sep. 2022 Lewis didn’t present his Narnia stories to the group for discussion, which is probably good because Tolkien was skeptical of their depth. Emma Fraser, Town & Country, 4 Sep. 2022 But even with the three sworn declarations and the incident involving the 16-year-old, the private investigators — who had seen their fair share of vindictive exes — were skeptical of Bidwell’s claims and broader suspicions about her husband. Samuel Braslow, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Sep. 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
1639, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
skeptical
adjective
skep·ti·cal ˈskep-ti-kəl
: having or showing doubt
He thinks he'll make money, but I'm skeptical.
skeptical
adjective
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
Relevance
- suspicious
- cautious
- incredulous
- doubting
- wary
- questioning
- careful
- distrustful
- mistrustful
- disbelieving
- cynical
- unbelieving
- suspecting
- paranoid
- curious
- negativistic
- leery
- puzzled
- show-me
- unconvinced
- unsure
- hesitant
- paranoidal
- quizzical
- experienced
- inquisitive
- critical
- watchful
- leary
- uncertain
- guarded
- inquiring
- gun-shy
- undecided
- sophisticated
- worldly
- nosy
- knowing
- undetermined
- worldly-wise
- snoopy
- unsettled
- nosey
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- credulous
- gullible
- uncritical
- naive
- naïve
- trusting
- trustful
- confident
- unsophisticated
- unquestioning
- positive
- sure
- certain
- simple
- innocent
- ingenuous
- green
- simpleminded
- unworldly
- unknowing
- inexperienced
- idealistic
- gullable
- impractical
- wide-eyed
- childlike
- raw
- duped
- callow
- deceived
- beguiled
- tricked
- careless
- unsuspicious
- unsuspecting
- unwary
- heedless
- gulled
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
- unsure
- suspicious
- doubtful
- uncertain
- unconvinced
- dubious
- unsettled
- distrustful
- mistrustful
- hesitant
- undecided
- ambivalent
- conflicted
- trustless
- hinky
- diffident
- on the fence
- equivocal
- insecure
- wavering
- vacillating
- irresolute
- indecisive
- halting
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- convinced
- positive
- sure
- certain
- confident
- sanguine
- assured
- self-assured
- determined
- resolute
- decisive