DOUBT Synonyms: 47 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'doubt' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of doubt are dubiety , mistrust , skepticism , suspicion , and uncertainty . While all these words mean "lack of sureness about someone or something," doubt suggests both uncertainty and inability to make a decision. // plagued by doubts as to what to do

Q: When might 'dubiety' be a better fit than 'doubt'?

The synonyms dubiety and doubt are sometimes interchangeable, but dubiety stresses a wavering between conclusions. // felt some dubiety about its practicality

Q: When could 'mistrust' be used to replace 'doubt'?

The meanings of mistrust and doubt largely overlap; however, mistrust implies a genuine doubt based upon suspicion. // had a great mistrust of doctors

Q: When would 'skepticism' be a good substitute for 'doubt'?

The words skepticism and doubt can be used in similar contexts, but skepticism implies unwillingness to believe without conclusive evidence. // an economic forecast greeted with skepticism

Q: When is 'suspicion' a more appropriate choice than 'doubt'?

Although the words suspicion and doubt have much in common, suspicion stresses lack of faith in the truth, reality, fairness, or reliability of something or someone. // regarded the stranger with suspicion

Q: When is it sensible to use 'uncertainty' instead of 'doubt'?

In some situations, the words uncertainty and doubt are roughly equivalent. However, uncertainty may range from a falling short of certainty to an almost complete lack of conviction or knowledge especially about an outcome or result. // assumed the role of manager without hesitation or uncertainty

doubt 1 of 2

noun

Definition of doubt

as in skepticism

a feeling or attitude that one does not know the truth, truthfulness, or trustworthiness of someone or something from the beginning I had my doubts about the investment scheme

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

doubt

2 of 2

verb

ˈdau̇t

as in to question

to have no trust or confidence in I doubt that you can do all that you say

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun doubt differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of doubt are dubiety, mistrust, skepticism, suspicion, and uncertainty. While all these words mean "lack of sureness about someone or something," doubt suggests both uncertainty and inability to make a decision.

plagued by doubts as to what to do

When might dubiety be a better fit than doubt?

The synonyms dubiety and doubt are sometimes interchangeable, but dubiety stresses a wavering between conclusions.

felt some dubiety about its practicality

When could mistrust be used to replace doubt?

The meanings of mistrust and doubt largely overlap; however, mistrust implies a genuine doubt based upon suspicion.

had a great mistrust of doctors

When would skepticism be a good substitute for doubt?

The words skepticism and doubt can be used in similar contexts, but skepticism implies unwillingness to believe without conclusive evidence.

an economic forecast greeted with skepticism

When is suspicion a more appropriate choice than doubt?

Although the words suspicion and doubt have much in common, suspicion stresses lack of faith in the truth, reality, fairness, or reliability of something or someone.

regarded the stranger with suspicion

When is it sensible to use uncertainty instead of doubt?

In some situations, the words uncertainty and doubt are roughly equivalent. However, uncertainty may range from a falling short of certainty to an almost complete lack of conviction or knowledge especially about an outcome or result.

assumed the role of manager without hesitation or uncertainty

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of doubt

Noun

But there’s also plenty of acrimony and recrimination in the aftermath of the school board election and one final confrontation between King and Paul Martino at a roundtable that leaves little doubt that tensions are still simmering. — Stuart Miller, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026 And while the opportunity is clear and few doubt the UAE government’s ability to execute, the territory is still subject to the same risks affecting the region. — semafor.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Verb

One writer signed up to work with a confidence coach for the first time, and ended up doubting that her self-doubt was all that bad. — Eric Levitz, Vox, 15 Oct. 2026 While Spain's government has defended Rabat's role in helping the return of the majority of the 80,000 who entered Ceuta, many in Spain, including police and some lawmakers, doubt that Rabat could not have known about the mass movement of people. — Joseph Wilson, Arkansas Online, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for doubt

Recent Examples of Synonyms for doubt

Noun

Of the 13 most competitive Senate races, seven Republicans have expressed skepticism or outright opposition to the agreement that is unlikely to significantly affect high diesel costs contributing to broader inflation.

— Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 15 Oct. 2026
Leaning into many voters’ skepticism of artificial intelligence and data centers, Biss has also put forward a multipart plan to regulate the industry.

— Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of skepticism

Verb

There is little public clarity around the individual voters whose registration is being contested or how the administration began to question their eligibility.

— Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
But Laura Zimmermann, Common Sense Media’s director of youth AI research, questioned the value of OpenAI’s statistics.

— Marc Levy, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of question

Noun

On Tuesday, Berkeley police investigators arrested Ayubi in El Cerrito for suspicion of two counts of felony hit-and-run.

— Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026
Searches of the data must be for law enforcement purposes only and there must be reasonable suspicion of criminal activity, the policy states.

— Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of suspicion

Verb

The diagnosis had been suspected based on testing conducted before the procedure, according to the Holy See Press Office.

— Angelica Stabile , Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Sacramento County sheriff’s detectives arrested two men Tuesday suspected of stealing cash during an armed robbery in August at a North Highlands smoke shop.

— Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of suspect

Noun

For a government overseeing a population dominated by mobile expats, that created a lot of uncertainty in terms of establishing an economic base that can support a welfare system and basic state infrastructure.

— Mia Osmonbekov, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
The shooting has brought medical expenses and uncertainty to her family, according to the fundraising campaign.

— Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of uncertainty

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doubly

doubt

doubtable

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“Doubt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/doubt. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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verb

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