skepticism
gb/skˈɛptɪsˌɪzəm/ us/skˈɛptɪsˌɪzəm/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
C1
abstract
1
Doubting unproven claims
a feeling or attitude of not believing something easily without good evidence
Usage pattern:
skepticism about/toward [something]; skepticism over [a claim/plan]; express/show skepticism; view [something] with skepticism
Common mistake:
Skepticism is usually uncountable in this sense; use skeptical as the adjective. In British English, scepticism is also common.
Synonyms
doubt (more general and can describe a feeling rather than a critical attitude)
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suspicion (suggests mistrust or a belief that something may be wrong)
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incredulity (strong disbelief, often in response to something surprising)
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wariness (emphasizes cautious lack of trust)
Antonyms
trust (willingness to rely on someone or something)
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confidence (belief that something is reliable, true, or likely to succeed)
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credulity (readiness to believe things too easily)
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acceptance (willingness to take a claim or situation as true or valid)
Collocations
public skepticism
|widespread skepticism
|deep skepticism
|initial skepticism
|growing skepticism
|healthy skepticism
|express skepticism
|show skepticism
|overcome skepticism
|skepticism about the plan
Themes
critical_thinking
|communication
|judgment
|public_opinion
Examples
- The company's claims about the new drug were greeted with skepticism until the trial data were released.
- Many voters expressed skepticism about the cost of the project.
- Her skepticism saved her from clicking on a fake bank email.
Learner examples
- I have some skepticism about the story.
- People showed skepticism when the price seemed too low.
Noun
technical
C2
abstract
2
Questioning possible knowledge
the philosophical idea that we may not be able to know some things for certain
Usage pattern:
skepticism about [knowledge/morality/the external world]; [field] skepticism; philosophical/radical skepticism
Common mistake:
Do not confuse this technical use with simply being doubtful in everyday life.
Synonyms
Pyrrhonism (a historical and technical form of ancient skepticism)
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epistemic doubt (a technical phrase emphasizing doubt about knowledge)
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agnosticism (emphasizes suspending judgment about what can be known, often in religious contexts)
Antonyms
dogmatism (asserting certainty without sufficient questioning)
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certainty (confidence that knowledge is secure or beyond doubt)
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foundationalism (a technical view that knowledge can rest on secure basic foundations)
Collocations
philosophical skepticism
|radical skepticism
|Cartesian skepticism
|ancient skepticism
|epistemological skepticism
|moral skepticism
|religious skepticism
|external-world skepticism
Themes
philosophy
|knowledge
|critical_thinking
Examples
- The course begins with Descartes and the problem of philosophical skepticism.
- Moral skepticism questions whether objective moral knowledge is possible.
- Radical skepticism asks how we can know that the external world exists.
Learner examples
- In philosophy, skepticism asks what we can really know.
- The student wrote an essay about skepticism and certainty.
Grammar
Dictionary form
skepticism
IPA
GB/skˈɛptɪsˌɪzəm/
US/skˈɛptɪsˌɪzəm/
Syllables & stress
skep - ti - cism (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (skep)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: skepticism
- Plural: skepticism, skepticisms
Expressions
climate-change skepticism
1/klˈaɪmɪt t͡ʃˈeɪnd͡ʒ skˈɛptɪsˌɪzəm/
fixed phrase
Doubt about climate science
doubt about accepted scientific explanations of climate change
Examples
- Climate-change skepticism remains common in some political groups.
- The report addressed climate-change skepticism by explaining the evidence in plain language.
- Researchers studied how social media affects climate-change skepticism.
healthy skepticism
1/hˈɛlθi skˈɛptɪsˌɪzəm/
fixed phrase
Reasonable critical doubt
good, sensible doubt that helps you judge things carefully
Examples
- Journalists need healthy skepticism when officials make big promises.
- A healthy dose of skepticism can prevent you from falling for online scams.
- She approached the investment offer with healthy skepticism.
meet with skepticism
1/mˈit wˈɪθ skˈɛptɪsˌɪzəm/
fixed phrase
Receive doubtful reactions
to make people doubtful when they hear it
Examples
- The CEO's promise of no layoffs was met with skepticism by employees.
- The new budget plan met with skepticism from economists.
- Her explanation met with skepticism because it contradicted earlier reports.
radical skepticism
1/ɹˈædɪkəl skˈɛptɪsˌɪzəm/
fixed phrase
technical
Extreme philosophical doubt
the extreme philosophical idea that we may not know anything for certain
Examples
- Radical skepticism challenges our confidence that perception gives us knowledge of the world.
- The philosopher used the dream argument to introduce radical skepticism.
- Most philosophers try to answer radical skepticism rather than simply accept it.
religious skepticism
1/ɹɪlˈɪd͡ʒəs skˈɛptɪsˌɪzəm/
fixed phrase
Doubt about religion
doubt about religious beliefs or claims
Examples
- His religious skepticism grew after years of studying different traditions.
- The book traces religious skepticism in Europe during the Enlightenment.
- Some students expressed religious skepticism but remained interested in ethics.
scientific skepticism
1/sˌaɪəntˈɪfɪk skˈɛptɪsˌɪzəm/
fixed phrase
technical
Evidence-based claim testing
checking claims by using evidence and scientific methods
Examples
- Scientific skepticism is especially important when health products make dramatic promises.
- The group promotes scientific skepticism toward paranormal claims.
- Good science depends on curiosity, testing, and scientific skepticism.
vaccine skepticism
1/vˌæksˈin skˈɛptɪsˌɪzəm/
fixed phrase
Doubt about vaccines
doubt or worry about whether vaccines are safe or necessary
Examples
- Doctors tried to address vaccine skepticism by answering parents' questions clearly.
- Vaccine skepticism increased after false stories spread online.
- The survey measured vaccine skepticism in different age groups.