skeptical
gb/skˈɛptɪkəl/ us/skˈɛptɪkəl/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B2
state
1
Doubting a claim or outcome
not sure that something is true or will happen
Usage pattern:
skeptical about/of [something]; skeptical that [clause]
Common mistake:
Use skeptical about or skeptical of. Skeptical to is uncommon in standard English.
Synonyms
doubtful (more general and often slightly less critical)
|
unconvinced (emphasizes that evidence or arguments have not persuaded someone)
|
dubious (often suggests stronger doubt or suspicion)
Antonyms
convinced (sure that something is true or right)
|
confident (expecting something to be successful or true)
|
trusting (ready to believe or rely on someone or something)
Collocations
deeply skeptical
|highly skeptical
|understandably skeptical
|remain skeptical
|become skeptical
|skeptical about the plan
|skeptical of the claim
|skeptical that it will work
|a skeptical response
|a skeptical reaction
Themes
thinking
|opinions
|communication
Examples
- Many doctors were skeptical about the new treatment until larger studies were published.
- Investors remain skeptical that the company can become profitable this year.
- She sounded skeptical of his explanation, but she agreed to check the facts.
Learner examples
- I am skeptical about the price because it seems too low.
- He was skeptical that the plan would work.
adjective
B2
property
2
Inclined to question evidence
careful about believing things without good evidence
Usage pattern:
a skeptical [person/audience/reader]; a skeptical attitude/approach
Common mistake:
Skeptical is not the same as cynical. A skeptical person asks for evidence; a cynical person often expects selfish or bad motives.
Synonyms
questioning (emphasizes asking questions rather than doubting strongly)
|
critical (emphasizes careful evaluation, not necessarily negativity)
|
analytical (emphasizes logical examination rather than doubt)
Antonyms
credulous (too ready to believe things)
|
gullible (easily tricked because of believing too easily)
|
uncritical (accepting ideas without careful judgment)
Collocations
skeptical reader
|skeptical audience
|skeptical mindset
|skeptical approach
|skeptical attitude
|skeptical scientist
|skeptical journalist
|skeptical scrutiny
|healthy skepticism
|professionally skeptical
Themes
critical_thinking
|science
|education
|media
Examples
- A skeptical reader will notice that the article gives no source for its main claim.
- Good scientists are skeptical, but they change their minds when the evidence is strong.
- The teacher encouraged students to take a skeptical approach to information they found online.
Learner examples
- Be skeptical when you read strange news online.
- A skeptical person asks for proof.
adjective
technical
C2
abstract
3
Questioning certain knowledge
connected with the philosophical idea that we may not be able to know things with certainty
Usage pattern:
skeptical philosophy/tradition/argument; skeptical about [knowledge/reason]
Common mistake:
This technical sense is much less common than the everyday meaning ‘doubtful’ or ‘not convinced.’
Synonyms
Pyrrhonian (refers specifically to an ancient form of philosophical skepticism)
|
epistemological (broader academic term relating to knowledge, not always involving doubt)
Antonyms
dogmatic (holding beliefs as certain without allowing doubt)
|
certain (expressing confidence rather than doubt)
Collocations
skeptical philosophy
|skeptical argument
|skeptical tradition
|skeptical challenge
|skeptical hypothesis
|skeptical doubt
|skeptical position
|skeptical problem
Themes
philosophy
|knowledge
|academia
Examples
- The seminar began with skeptical arguments about whether we can know anything about the external world.
- Descartes used skeptical doubt as a method for testing his beliefs.
- Her paper examines skeptical challenges to religious and moral knowledge.
Learner examples
- The class discussed skeptical ideas in philosophy.
- A skeptical argument questions what we can know.
Grammar
Dictionary form
skeptical
IPA
GB/skˈɛptɪkəl/
US/skˈɛptɪkəl/
Syllables & stress
skep - tic - al (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (skep)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: skeptical
Expressions
call me skeptical, but...
1/kˈɔl mˈi skˈɛptɪkəl | bˈʌt |/
fixed phrase
informal
Introduce a doubtful opinion
used before you say that you do not believe something
Examples
- Call me skeptical, but I don’t believe those numbers are accurate.
- Call me skeptical, but a plan with no budget and no deadline is not much of a plan.
- Call me skeptical, but I’ve heard that promise before.
color me skeptical
1/kˈʌlɚ mˈi skˈɛptɪkəl/
idiom
informal
I doubt that claim
used to say that you do not really believe something
Examples
- Color me skeptical, but I don’t think the app will really save us that much time.
- He says the project will be finished by Friday? Color me skeptical.
- Color me skeptical, but the deal sounds too good to be true.
with a skeptical eye
1/wˈɪθ ə skˈɛptɪkəl ˈaɪ/
fixed phrase
Examine critically and doubtfully
to examine something carefully because you are not sure it is true or good
Examples
- Experts are viewing the mayor’s budget promise with a skeptical eye.
- She reads all product reviews with a skeptical eye because many are paid promotions.
- The committee examined the proposal with a skeptical eye before approving it.