scepticism
gb/skˈɛptɪsˌɪzəm/ us/skˈɛptɪsˌɪzəm/
B2
Αγγλικά
~ 7800
Σημασίες
0 σημασίες
Ουσιαστικό
B2
state
1
doubt about truth of claims
A feeling of not believing something or not being sure it is true, usually until you see good proof.
Μοτίβο χρήσης:
[someone]'s scepticism about [something]
Συχνό λάθος:
Learners sometimes confuse 'scepticism' with 'cynicism'. 'Scepticism' means you doubt something until there is good evidence; 'cynicism' suggests you believe people are selfish or dishonest. Learners may also confuse spelling: British English uses 'scepticism', American English uses 'skepticism'. The meaning is the same.
Συνώνυμα
doubt (The most general word; can be weaker and does not always suggest a steady attitude like 'scepticism' does.)
|
disbelief (Stronger than 'scepticism'; suggests not believing rather than waiting for proof.)
|
suspicion (Adds a feeling that something may be wrong or dishonest, not just unproven.)
Αντώνυμα
confidence (Suggests strong belief that something is true or will happen, the opposite of a doubting attitude.)
|
faith (Belief without needing proof, often emotional or religious, which contrasts with sceptical doubt.)
Συνδυασμοί λέξεων
healthy scepticism
|widespread scepticism
|growing scepticism
|public scepticism
|express scepticism
|met with scepticism
Θέματα
thinking
|communication
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Παραδείγματα
- There was widespread scepticism about the company’s claim that the app was completely secure.
- Many scientists reacted with scepticism to the early results of the study.
- Her initial scepticism faded as she saw more evidence.
- The government’s promises were met with deep scepticism from voters.
- Investors expressed scepticism about the startup’s ambitious growth forecasts.
Παραδείγματα για μαθητές
- There is a lot of scepticism about the new plan.
- Some people feel scepticism when they hear this story.
- Her scepticism disappeared after she saw the facts.
- The news was met with scepticism by the public.
- He expressed his scepticism about the project.
Ουσιαστικό
technical
C1
entity
2
philosophical doctrine of radical doubt
In philosophy, the idea that people can never be completely sure that they know the truth about the world.
Μοτίβο χρήσης:
philosophical scepticism about [knowledge/belief]
Συχνό λάθος:
Learners may assume this philosophical sense is the same as everyday 'scepticism'. In philosophy it is more systematic and often much more radical than normal doubt about a claim.
Συνώνυμα
philosophical doubt (Less technical and more descriptive; does not name a specific school of thought like 'scepticism' can.)
Αντώνυμα
dogmatism (In philosophy, refers to confident assertion of principles as certainly true, which contrasts with sceptical doubt about certainty.)
Συνδυασμοί λέξεων
philosophical scepticism
|radical scepticism
|ancient scepticism
|epistemological scepticism
|Pyrrhonian scepticism
Θέματα
philosophy
|academia
|education
|science
Παραδείγματα
- Descartes used radical scepticism as a method to test the foundations of knowledge.
- Ancient Greek scepticism questioned whether anything could be known with certainty.
- In his lectures, she explored the relationship between scientific realism and philosophical scepticism.
- Some forms of scepticism argue that we can only have beliefs, never true knowledge.
- Modern epistemology often begins with a discussion of scepticism about the external world.
Παραδείγματα για μαθητές
- In philosophy class we studied scepticism about knowledge.
- Some philosophers use scepticism to test ideas.
- Ancient thinkers developed strong forms of scepticism.
- This book explains modern scepticism in simple language.
- Scepticism in philosophy asks if we can really know anything for sure.
Ουσιαστικό
technical
C1
state
3
evidence-based critical attitude
A careful way of thinking where you do not believe a claim until there is good, clear evidence for it, often used in science and critical thinking.
Μοτίβο χρήσης:
scientific scepticism towards [claims]
Συχνό λάθος:
Learners sometimes think this kind of 'scepticism' is always negative. In scientific and critical-thinking contexts, it is usually seen as positive and careful, not rude or closed-minded.
Συνώνυμα
critical thinking (Broader; includes analysis and reasoning, while 'scepticism' focuses on doubting and testing claims.)
|
questioning attitude (More informal and general; does not necessarily imply the systematic, evidence-focused approach of scientific scepticism.)
Αντώνυμα
gullibility (Suggests believing things too easily without evidence, which is the opposite of an evidence-based sceptical attitude.)
Συνδυασμοί λέξεων
scientific scepticism
|rational scepticism
|healthy scientific scepticism
|evidence-based scepticism
Θέματα
science
|critical thinking
|communication
Παραδείγματα
- Scientific progress depends on a balance between openness to new ideas and rigorous scepticism.
- Her scepticism about miracle cures reflects a strong commitment to evidence-based medicine.
- Media literacy courses encourage healthy scepticism towards information found online.
- The panel praised his scepticism, saying it helped reveal serious flaws in the study.
- In the classroom, the teacher tried to foster constructive scepticism rather than blind acceptance.
Παραδείγματα για μαθητές
- Good scientists use scepticism when they read new studies.
- Teachers want students to show healthy scepticism about online information.
- Her scepticism about the medicine was based on facts, not fear.
- Scepticism can protect people from false news.
- The course teaches students to use scepticism and to ask for evidence.
Γραμματική
Λημματική μορφή
scepticism
IPA
GB/skˈɛptɪsˌɪzəm/
US/skˈɛptɪsˌɪzəm/
Συλλαβές και τόνος
scep - ti - cism (3 συλλαβές)
Stress on 1st syllable (scep)
Τύποι λέξης
Noun
- Base: scepticism
- Plural: scepticism
Οικογένεια λέξεων
Εκφράσεις
a degree of scepticism
1/ə dɪɡɹˈi əv skˈɛptɪsˌɪzəm/
fixed phrase
formal
some but not complete doubt
Some doubt, but not complete doubt; a middle level of not believing fully.
Παραδείγματα
- It is sensible to maintain a degree of scepticism about such bold claims.
- She listened politely but with a degree of scepticism.
- Even supporters expressed a degree of scepticism regarding the timeline.
be met with scepticism
1/bˈi mˈɛt wˈɪθ skˈɛptɪsˌɪzəm/
fixed phrase
receive a doubtful reaction
If an idea, plan, or claim is met with scepticism, many people react to it by not really believing it.
Παραδείγματα
- The announcement was met with scepticism by environmental groups.
- His explanation was met with scepticism from the press.
- The proposal to cut taxes again was met with widespread scepticism.
deep scepticism
1/dˈip skˈɛptɪsˌɪzəm/
fixed phrase
very strong, serious doubt
A very strong feeling that something is probably not true or will not happen.
Παραδείγματα
- There is deep scepticism among experts about the effectiveness of this policy.
- Years of broken promises have created deep scepticism about reform.
- Her deep scepticism makes her hard to convince.
express scepticism about
1/ɪkspɹˈɛs skˈɛptɪsˌɪzəm əbˈaʊt/
fixed phrase
openly say you doubt something
To say in words that you are not sure something is true or will happen.
Παραδείγματα
- Several economists expressed scepticism about the government’s growth forecasts.
- Local residents expressed scepticism about the safety of the new plant.
- The committee expressed scepticism about the company’s ability to deliver on time.
growing scepticism
1/ɡɹˈoʊɪŋ skˈɛptɪsˌɪzəm/
fixed phrase
doubt that is increasing over time
Doubt that is becoming stronger or more common as time passes.
Παραδείγματα
- There is growing scepticism about the company’s ability to turn a profit.
- Reports of side effects have led to growing scepticism over the drug’s safety.
- Growing scepticism among voters is hurting the president’s approval ratings.
healthy scepticism
1/hˈɛlθi skˈɛptɪsˌɪzəm/
fixed phrase
reasonable, balanced level of doubt
A good and sensible level of doubt, where you do not believe too quickly but are still open to proof.
Παραδείγματα
- Doctors advise a healthy scepticism toward miracle diets advertised online.
- A healthy scepticism can stop you from falling for scams.
- Parents should teach children a healthy scepticism about what they see on social media.
public scepticism
1/pˈʌblɪk skˈɛptɪsˌɪzəm/
fixed phrase
widespread doubt among the public
Doubt that many ordinary people feel about something, such as a plan, leader, or message.
Παραδείγματα
- Public scepticism about official statistics has increased in recent years.
- The campaign failed partly because of deep public scepticism toward politicians.
- Public scepticism remains high despite the company’s new safety report.
treat [something] with scepticism
1/tɹˈit sˈʌmθɪŋ wˈɪθ skˈɛptɪsˌɪzəm/
fixed phrase
respond to information with doubt
To not fully believe something and to wait for good proof before you accept it as true.
Παραδείγματα
- Experts say we should treat online health claims with scepticism.
- Investors treated the company’s promises with scepticism after last year’s losses.
- Many voters treated the sudden tax cut announcement with scepticism.
view [something] with scepticism
1/vjˈu sˈʌmθɪŋ wˈɪθ skˈɛptɪsˌɪzəm/
fixed phrase
regard a claim with doubt
To think about something as probably not true or not fully proven.
Παραδείγματα
- Scientists view these early results with scepticism until they are repeated.
- Many citizens view the new law with scepticism after years of broken promises.
- She views any get-rich-quick scheme with scepticism.
widespread scepticism
1/wˈaɪdspɹˈɛd skˈɛptɪsˌɪzəm/
fixed phrase
doubt shared by many people
Doubt that many people have, not just a few individuals.
Παραδείγματα
- There is widespread scepticism about the accuracy of the official figures.
- The proposal was launched in an atmosphere of widespread scepticism.
- Widespread scepticism forced the company to release more data.