sceptical
gb/skˈɛptɪkəl/ us/skˈɛptɪkəl/
B2
English
~ 5900
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B2
property
1
not easily convinced or trusting
Not ready to believe that something is true or good; having doubts about it.
Usage pattern:
to be sceptical about/of [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse the adjective 'sceptical' with the noun 'sceptic' (a person who is sceptical). For example, 'He is a sceptical' is wrong; it should be 'He is sceptical' or 'He is a sceptic.' Another common mistake is using the wrong preposition: say 'sceptical about' or 'sceptical of', not 'sceptical on'. Note also that 'sceptical' is the usual British spelling; American English uses 'skeptical'.
Synonyms
doubtful (Focuses on feeling unsure, without the stronger sense of habitually questioning that 'sceptical' often has.)
|
suspicious (Suggests believing that something may be wrong or dishonest, while 'sceptical' is more about not being convinced yet.)
|
cynical (Stronger and more negative; suggests believing that people are selfish or dishonest, not just questioning a claim.)
Antonyms
convinced (Describes someone who already believes something is true, the opposite of still being sceptical.)
|
trusting (Describes someone who tends to believe others easily, the opposite general attitude to being sceptical.)
Collocations
deeply sceptical
|remain sceptical
|sceptical about
|sceptical of
|naturally sceptical
|openly sceptical
Themes
thinking
|communication
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Many voters are sceptical about the government's new tax plan.
- I was sceptical at first, but the results were surprisingly good.
- Scientists remain sceptical of the study because the sample size was so small.
- Her parents were sceptical when she said she could pay for the trip herself.
- He gave me a sceptical look when I told him how quickly the project would be finished.
Learner examples
- People were sceptical about his big idea.
- I am sceptical of that story; it sounds too perfect.
- My boss is very sceptical, so I have to show clear facts.
- They were sceptical at first, but now they believe us.
adjective
technical
C2
property
2
philosophically doubting certain knowledge
In philosophy, believing that people cannot really be sure about knowledge or truth, or that our reasons for believing are not strong enough.
Usage pattern:
a sceptical view/position about [knowledge/belief]
Synonyms
agnostic (Often used more narrowly about religion or specific questions; 'sceptical' in this sense is broader, about knowledge and justification in general.)
Antonyms
dogmatic (Describes accepting beliefs as certainly true without question, the opposite of a philosophically sceptical stance.)
Collocations
sceptical philosophy
|sceptical tradition
|sceptical position
|radically sceptical
|sceptical challenge
Themes
philosophy
|academia
|education
|science
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The paper defends a strongly sceptical position about our ability to know moral truths.
- Cartesian philosophy begins with a deeply sceptical challenge to everyday claims of knowledge.
- Some philosophers adopt a sceptical stance toward the idea that science gives us objective truth.
Learner examples
- In this course we read many texts from the sceptical tradition in philosophy.
- He takes a sceptical view of what human beings can really know.
- The teacher explained the famous sceptical question, "How can we be sure that the world is real?"
Grammar
Dictionary form
sceptical
IPA
GB/skˈɛptɪkəl/
US/skˈɛptɪkəl/
Syllables & stress
scep - tic - al (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (scep)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: sceptical
Word family
Core family
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
trusting
adjective
gullible
adjective
Expressions
be sceptical about
1/bˈi skˈɛptɪkəl əbˈaʊt/
fixed phrase
doubt or question something
To not easily believe that a specific idea, plan, or story is true or good.
Examples
- Many experts are sceptical about the long-term benefits of the new drug.
- I was sceptical about his promise to finish the work by Friday.
be sceptical of
1/bˈi skˈɛptɪkəl əv/
fixed phrase
not easily trust something or someone
To not easily trust or believe a particular person, claim, or result.
Examples
- Consumers have become increasingly sceptical of online reviews.
- She is understandably sceptical of any quick-fix solutions.
deeply sceptical
1/dˈipli skˈɛptɪkəl/
fixed phrase
having very strong doubts
Very unsure and not ready to believe something at all.
Examples
- Local people are deeply sceptical about the company's promises.
- He remains deeply sceptical that the talks will succeed.
highly sceptical
1/hˈaɪli skˈɛptɪkəl/
fixed phrase
very unlikely to believe something
Very unlikely to believe something; having strong doubts.
Examples
- Experts are highly sceptical of the claim that the virus was man-made.
- Investors were highly sceptical when the startup announced its huge valuation.