sceptic
gb/skˈɛptɪk/ us/skˈɛptɪk/
B2
English
~ 8900
szkeptikus
NOUN
B2
1
szkeptikus
B2
Usage pattern:
a sceptic about [something]
As a natural sceptic, she always checks several sources before trusting any news story.
Természeténél fogva szkeptikus, ezért mindig több forrást is ellenőriz, mielőtt bármilyen hírt elhinne.
Many health sceptics questioned the safety of the new medicine until long-term studies were published.
Sok, egészségügyi kérdésekben szkeptikus ember megkérdőjelezte az új gyógyszer biztonságosságát, egészen addig, amíg meg nem jelentek a hosszú távú vizsgálatok.
He used to be a climate sceptic, but the recent heatwaves changed his mind.
Religious sceptics in the group asked difficult questions about faith and evidence.
Learner examples
I am a bit of a sceptic, so I do not believe things very quickly.
Kicsit szkeptikus vagyok, ezért nem hiszek el semmit egykönnyen.
She is a climate sceptic and often argues about global warming.
Klímaszkeptikus, és gyakran vitatkozik a globális felmelegedésről.
Some people are religious sceptics and do not accept any holy books.
My brother is a sceptic about social media stories.
The teacher told the students that being a sceptic can help them think carefully.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'sceptic' with 'cynic'. A 'sceptic' mainly wants good evidence before believing something, while a 'cynic' often has a negative view of people and their motives. Another common issue is spelling: British English uses 'sceptic', while American English uses 'skeptic'. Prepositions can also cause trouble: you are usually 'a sceptic about something' or 'a sceptic of something', not 'a sceptic for something'.
Meaning
person who tends to doubt claims
Collocations
natural sceptic
|born sceptic
|religious sceptic
|climate sceptic
|political sceptic
|remain a sceptic
Synonyms
doubter (Neutral and general, focuses simply on not being convinced; slightly less about active questioning than 'sceptic'.)
|
disbeliever (Stronger refusal to accept a claim; sounds more fixed and less open to changing their mind than a 'sceptic'.)
|
cynic (Often suggests a negative, world-weary attitude and a belief that people are selfish, not just that claims need evidence.)
Antonyms
believer (Someone who accepts a claim, idea, or religion, often with trust or faith rather than demanding strong proof.)
|
supporter (Someone who backs or agrees with a particular idea, policy, or person, rather than doubting it like a sceptic.)
Themes
thinking
|science
|religion
|politics
|communication
|education
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A person who does not easily believe what other people say and wants strong proof before accepting it as true.
A person who is inclined to doubt or question generally accepted ideas, beliefs, or claims, especially when they think there is not enough evidence.
NOUN
C1
TECHNICAL
2
szkeptikus
C1
Usage pattern:
a sceptic in [philosophical tradition]
For the ancient sceptic, suspending judgement was the only honest response to conflicting appearances.
Az ókori szkeptikus számára az ítélet felfüggesztése volt az egyetlen intellektuálisan tisztességes válasz az egymásnak ellentmondó látszatokra.
The lecture compared Descartes to more radical sceptics who doubted even the existence of the external world.
Az előadás Descartes-ot a nála radikálisabb szkeptikusokkal hasonlította össze, akik még a külvilág létezésében is kételkedtek.
As a modern sceptic, she argues that we can never escape our own viewpoint enough to claim absolute truth.
Learner examples
In that class, we read about a Greek sceptic who said we cannot be sure of anything.
Azon az órán egy görög szkeptikusról olvastunk, aki azt mondta, hogy semmiben sem lehetünk biztosak.
Some philosophers are sceptics and question if real knowledge is possible.
Egyes filozófusok szkeptikusok, és kétségbe vonják, hogy lehetséges-e valódi tudás.
The teacher explained that a sceptic in philosophy does more than just doubt one idea.
A radical sceptic may even doubt the world outside their mind.
He wrote his essay about ancient sceptics and their ideas.
Common mistake:
Learners may not realise that this philosophical sense is more narrow and technical than the everyday sense. In general English, a 'sceptic' might just doubt one topic (like climate change), but in philosophy, a 'sceptic' questions whether any secure knowledge is possible at all.
Meaning
follower of philosophical scepticism
Collocations
ancient sceptics
|Greek sceptics
|Pyrrhonian sceptics
|radical sceptics
Synonyms
philosophical skeptic (Explicitly marks this as the technical, philosophical use, not just an everyday doubter.)
Antonyms
dogmatist (In philosophy, a dogmatist is seen as someone who confidently asserts knowledge claims that the sceptic thinks cannot be justified.)
Themes
philosophy
|academia
|education
|core_vocabulary
Definition
In philosophy, a person who argues that people cannot be completely sure about what they know.
In philosophy, a thinker who systematically questions whether genuine or certain knowledge is possible, often associated with schools of sceptical thought.
Grammar
Dictionary form
sceptic
IPA
GB/skˈɛptɪk/
US/skˈɛptɪk/
Syllables & stress
scep - tic (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (scep)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: sceptic
- Plural: sceptics
Word family
Forms
sceptics
noun
Core family
sceptical
adjective B2
scepticism
noun B2
Related words
sceptically
adverb
skeptic
noun
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.