heightened skepticism

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "heightened skepticism" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an increased level of doubt or disbelief regarding a particular issue or situation. Example: "In light of recent events, there has been a heightened skepticism among the public about the government's transparency."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

But what is causing them to surface now appears to be a combination of a deteriorating economy and heightened skepticism about outsize returns after the revelations about Mr. Madoff.

The New York Times

It's not the first time Musk has publicly criticized a reporter, a move that sometimes courts negative coverage and heightened skepticism.

Huffington Post

"Heightened skepticism about a potential mate's trustworthiness also makes evolutionary sense in scenarios where a father's ongoing support is crucial for the survival of the infant," write Ryan T. Johnson and S. Marc Breedlove of Michigan State University in a commentary.

The New York Times - Health

The law requires courts to review restrictions on religious practices in prison with heightened skepticism.

The New York Times

This set argues that whiny know-it-alls should just leave cops alone to bring the full force of the law down on "undesirable" elements particularly young people, people of color, hippie-looking people, people with subversive-slogan bumper stickers on their car, etc. Treating police claims with heightened skepticism is seen as indicative of some inherent moral perversion.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The army also contained substantial numbers of soldiers of Buddhist backgrounds, thus heightening skepticism that they would have attacked the pagodas and monks in such a violent manner.

Wikipedia

That track record has heightened critics' skepticism about the current legislation.

The New York Times

The markets have been brutal, layoffs continue, and the scandals have heightened investors' skepticism.

The New York Times

According to the triangulation framework, such contradictory external evidence should heighten auditors' skepticism about the veracity of management-controlled evidence and increase their assessment of fraud risk.

Accounting, Organizations and Society

The tech bellwether's confession, which came after Tuesday's closing bell, will heighten the skepticism on whether the fiber optic sector can overcome the economic slowdown and snapback in 2001, and makes JDS Uniphase Forbes.com's Stock To Watch.

Forbes

As I got older, my skepticism heightened and my faith lessened.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "heightened skepticism" when you want to convey an increase in doubt or disbelief, especially after a specific event or revelation. It is suitable for formal and neutral contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "heightened skepticism" in very informal or casual conversations. Simpler phrases like "more doubt" or "growing suspicion" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "heightened skepticism" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "heightened" modifies the noun "skepticism". It describes a state of increased doubt or disbelief, as seen in the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "heightened skepticism" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that describes an increased level of doubt or disbelief. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples from reputable sources. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts and is suitable for neutral to formal writing. When a more informal tone is desired, consider alternatives such as "increased doubt" or "growing distrust". The phrase is well-established and understood, making it a reliable choice for expressing a rise in doubt.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

increased doubt

Replaces "heightened" with a simpler synonym, focusing on the rise in doubt.

growing distrust

Emphasizes the development of distrust over time, rather than a static state of skepticism.

rising incredulity

Highlights the increasing difficulty in believing something.

amplified doubt

Uses "amplified" to suggest a significant increase in doubt.

intensified skepticism

Replaces "heightened" with "intensified" to convey a stronger sense of increased skepticism.

mounting cynicism

Focuses on a growing sense of negativity and distrust in motives.

deepening suspicion

Emphasizes the process of suspicion becoming more profound.

escalating disbelief

Highlights a rapid increase in the inability to accept something as true.

marked skepticism

Indicates a noticeable or significant level of skepticism.

noticeable doubt

Simplifies the phrase to highlight a clearly apparent level of doubt.

FAQs

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

You can use "heightened skepticism" to describe an increased level of doubt or disbelief. For example: "The recent scandal led to a heightened skepticism about the company's ethical practices."

What are some alternatives to "heightened skepticism"?

Alternatives include "increased doubt", "growing distrust", or "rising incredulity", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "heightened skepticism" a formal phrase?

Yes, "heightened skepticism" is generally considered a formal phrase suitable for professional, academic, and news-related contexts. Simpler alternatives may be more appropriate for informal settings.

What causes "heightened skepticism"?

"Heightened skepticism" often arises due to negative events, scandals, or a lack of transparency. It reflects an increased questioning of claims or actions due to specific circumstances.