skeptical

USAGE SUMMARY

'skeptical' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who is not easily persuaded or has doubts about a particular idea or plan. Example sentence: I was skeptical of the new diet plan, but after trying it out for a few months, I could see the results.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

None of these skeptical theses is implied by either skepticism about moral knowledge or skepticism about justified moral belief.

SEP

Rhetorical argument had its classical base in the field of oratory and implied a skeptical epistemology, not the radical and extreme skepticism of the Greek Pyrrhonists but the more limited skepticism of the Academic philosophers of Hellenistic Greece and their Roman disciples.

SEP

Rubio's valiant effort to craft a message on immigration that could appeal to the deeply skeptical conservative fringe shook up what had been a masterful Jenga-like tower of mixed positions: a little Tea Party here, a little GOP careerism there.

The Guardian - Opinion

Fallon, the former Guantánamo investigative task force deputy commander, remembered Miller and other "two-stars that wanted three stars" attempting to placate Fallon's dissatisfied, skeptical investigators by holding up Zuley as their very own law-enforcement veteran.

The Guardian

He is sensitive – and often skeptical – about visitors' motives: are they interested in him and his work, or are they only interested in his name and the novelty of a black Picasso?

The Guardian - Arts

Not surprisingly, Pelé was skeptical before Toye made his point.

The Guardian - Sport

While many officers listen intently, some are openly skeptical.

The Guardian

On the 35th anniversary of the Wright brothers' first successful flight, artist Oscar Cesare wrote in the New York Times of the obstacles they faced, not just in developing the technology but in overcoming public opposition: "Nearly everybody then was skeptical about flying.

The Guardian - Sport

Consumers are really skeptical.

The Guardian

This tactic has been shown to enhance racial diversity without considering race as a criterion for admission.The American public is increasingly skeptical of affirmative action.

The Economist

Ed Prescott was skeptical about this strategy from the beginning.. I now believe that the evidence on post-war recessions (up to but not including the one we are now in) overwhelmingly supports the dominant importance of real shocks.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "skeptical", provide context to clarify the reason for doubt. For example, instead of simply stating "I am skeptical", specify "I am skeptical of the new policy because..."

Common error

Avoid using "skeptical" as a default negative response. Ensure your skepticism is based on reasoning or evidence, not mere negativity. Otherwise, use a more neutral term like "questioning".

Linguistic Context

The adjective "skeptical" primarily functions to describe a state of doubt or questioning towards a claim, idea, or situation. Ludwig AI affirms this usage, showcasing its role in expressing a critical perspective. It modifies nouns (people, attitudes, approaches) by indicating their tendency to doubt or require further proof.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "skeptical" serves to express doubt or questioning, a meaning confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Scientific domains, as Ludwig's examples highlight. While grammatically correct and very common, it's important to use "skeptical" judiciously, providing context for your doubt and avoiding overuse without justification. Alternatives like "doubtful", "dubious", and "questioning" can offer nuanced expressions of disbelief or inquiry. Understanding these nuances ensures precise and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

doubtful

Focuses specifically on uncertainty about the truth or reality of something.

dubious

Implies a stronger sense of disbelief and suspicion.

questioning

Highlights the act of inquiring and investigating with a critical mindset.

incredulous

Suggests disbelief because something seems improbable or extraordinary.

cynical

Indicates a general distrust of others' motives or integrity.

suspicious

Implies a belief that something is wrong or dishonest.

disbelieving

Directly conveys a lack of belief.

uncertain

Expresses a lack of confidence or sureness.

wary

Suggests caution and a lack of trust.

unconvinced

Indicates a state of not being persuaded or convinced.

FAQs

How can I use "skeptical" in a sentence?

You can use "skeptical" to describe someone who doubts claims or is not easily convinced. For example, "The scientist was "skeptical" of the reported results until further testing confirmed them".

What's a good alternative to the word "skeptical"?

Depending on the context, you can use synonyms like "doubtful", "dubious", or "questioning" to express similar meanings.

Is it better to be "skeptical" or "cynical"?

"Skeptical" implies a healthy doubt and a need for evidence, while "cynical" suggests a general distrust and negativity. Skepticism is often more constructive.

What is the difference between "skeptical" and "incredulous"?

"Skeptical" suggests a questioning attitude and the need for more information, while "incredulous" expresses disbelief or astonishment, often at something surprising or hard to believe.