arouse skepticism

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "arouse skepticism" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that causes doubt or disbelief in a particular idea, claim, or situation. Example: "The lack of evidence to support the theory began to arouse skepticism among the researchers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Any program that dares to veer from the timeless profundity of 16th-Century composer Thomas Tallis to the instantly stale mundanity of Andrew Lloyd Webber is bound to arouse skepticism.

Los Angeles Times

That the challenge has been initiated by a network financed by a nation from a part of the world that has been hostile to the value of a a free press or free expression is, in a sense, something to arouse skepticism.

Huffington Post

Her thesis may arouse skepticism, but she marshals provocative evidence, documenting such phenomena as a decline of women's bylines in national newspapers and a forty-per-cent drop in federal sex-discrimination prosecutions.

The New Yorker

Still, the argument that Facebook might be raising news quality at all may arouse skepticism, given how the social media site was flooded with false information ahead of elections in the US and Brazil, how financially hard-hit news organizations have blamed Facebook for their woes, and how the social network has been called an increasing threat to journalism.

Columbia University

Claims like Blasick's arouse skepticism from paranormal experts.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The purchase came early in an extended shopping spree that rattled nerves, aroused skepticism and stimulated the art market.

The New York Times - Arts

Schorske's readings of artists also aroused skepticism, not least because he tended to overlook parallel activity in Paris, London, New York, and Chicago, where quite different forces were at play.

The New Yorker

But his recent stumbles have aroused skepticism about his leadership and vitriol from newspaper columnists, who have branded him as "bumbling" and "bungling".

The New York Times

Because Mr. Clark has earned his fan base mainly through live performances, and because blues-rock partisans are constitutionally wary about the conformist pressure of the music business, the album aroused skepticism months before its release.

The New York Times - Arts

This new approach, known as synthetic biology, initially aroused skepticism among biologists, recalls Ron Weiss, SM '94, PhD '01, who was a grad student of Knight's in the late 1990s.

MIT Technology Review

But his intention to follow Goethe's stage directions and vision to the letter, changing not a word of the original poem, aroused skepticism from those who believe a director's job is not merely to present a piece but to interpret it as well: to create, in other words, the kind of Regietheater, or directors' theater, that Mr. Stein and his peers have helped to define.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "arouse skepticism", consider the specific nuance you want to convey: is it a gentle prompting of doubt, or a stronger instilling of disbelief? Choose the alternative that best fits the context.

Common error

Avoid constructing sentences where the subject performing the action of arousing skepticism is unclear or missing. Instead of "Skepticism was aroused by the claims", specify who or what aroused the skepticism: "The company's vague promises aroused skepticism among investors".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "arouse skepticism" functions as a verb phrase where "arouse" acts as a transitive verb, taking "skepticism" as its direct object. It indicates the act of causing or provoking a state of doubt or disbelief. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's usable and correct in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Academia

17%

Encyclopedias

11%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "arouse skepticism" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that functions to describe the action of causing or provoking doubt. According to Ludwig AI, it’s perfectly acceptable in written English. While not extremely common, it appears frequently in News & Media and academic contexts. When writing, consider whether "arouse skepticism" best conveys the specific nuance you intend, or whether alternatives like "raise doubts" or "generate disbelief" might be more appropriate. Always ensure clarity by specifying who or what is arousing the skepticism.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

raise doubts

This alternative directly indicates the action of creating uncertainty or questioning the validity of something.

generate disbelief

This phrase emphasizes the creation of a feeling of not believing something.

prompt skepticism

Similar to "arouse skepticism", but implies a slightly more immediate or direct causation.

instill doubt

This alternative emphasizes the act of firmly placing doubt in someone's mind.

foster incredulity

This phrase suggests nurturing a state of disbelief, often through a process or over time.

trigger suspicion

This option highlights the causation of a feeling of distrust or wariness.

invite cynicism

This implies that something encourages a negative or distrustful attitude.

spark distrust

This alternative is more active and denotes a sudden and forceful initiation of distrust.

lead to doubt

This suggests a consequential relationship, where something results in a state of uncertainty.

provoke questioning

This phrase emphasizes the incitement of the act of asking questions due to doubt or uncertainty.

FAQs

How can I use "arouse skepticism" in a sentence?

You can use "arouse skepticism" to indicate that something causes doubt or disbelief. For example, "The politician's sudden change of heart aroused skepticism among voters".

What are some alternatives to "arouse skepticism"?

Alternatives include "raise doubts", "generate disbelief", or "prompt skepticism", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "arouse skepticism" or "raise skepticism"?

Both "arouse skepticism" and "raise skepticism" are grammatically correct and widely used. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey; "arouse" might suggest a more gradual or subtle effect.

What's the difference between "arouse skepticism" and "create skepticism"?

"Arouse skepticism" suggests bringing existing skepticism to the surface, while "create skepticism" implies generating it where it didn't previously exist. The best choice depends on whether the skepticism was already present or is newly formed.