SKEPTICISM Synonyms: 37 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of skepticism are doubt , dubiety , mistrust , suspicion , and uncertainty . While all these words mean "lack of sureness about someone or something," skepticism implies unwillingness to believe without conclusive evidence. // an economic forecast greeted with skepticism

Q: In what contexts can 'doubt' take the place of 'skepticism'?

In some situations, the words doubt and skepticism are roughly equivalent. However, doubt suggests both uncertainty and inability to make a decision. // plagued by doubts as to what to do

Q: When is it sensible to use 'dubiety' instead of 'skepticism'?

The meanings of dubiety and skepticism largely overlap; however, dubiety stresses a wavering between conclusions. // felt some dubiety about its practicality

Q: When might 'mistrust' be a better fit than 'skepticism'?

While the synonyms mistrust and skepticism are close in meaning, mistrust implies a genuine doubt based upon suspicion. // had a great mistrust of doctors

Q: When could 'suspicion' be used to replace 'skepticism'?

The words suspicion and skepticism can be used in similar contexts, but suspicion stresses lack of faith in the truth, reality, fairness, or reliability of something or someone. // regarded the stranger with suspicion

Q: Where would 'uncertainty' be a reasonable alternative to 'skepticism'?

While in some cases nearly identical to skepticism , 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

skepticism

noun

ˈskep-tə-ˌsi-zəm

Definition of skepticism

as in doubt

a feeling or attitude that one does not know the truth, truthfulness, or trustworthiness of someone or something our alibi was met with skepticism at first, but we gradually convinced them of the truth

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How does the noun skepticism differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of skepticism are doubt, dubiety, mistrust, suspicion, and uncertainty. While all these words mean "lack of sureness about someone or something," skepticism implies unwillingness to believe without conclusive evidence.

an economic forecast greeted with skepticism

In what contexts can doubt take the place of skepticism?

In some situations, the words doubt and skepticism are roughly equivalent. However, doubt suggests both uncertainty and inability to make a decision.

plagued by doubts as to what to do

When is it sensible to use dubiety instead of skepticism?

The meanings of dubiety and skepticism largely overlap; however, dubiety stresses a wavering between conclusions.

felt some dubiety about its practicality

When might mistrust be a better fit than skepticism?

While the synonyms mistrust and skepticism are close in meaning, mistrust implies a genuine doubt based upon suspicion.

had a great mistrust of doctors

When could suspicion be used to replace skepticism?

The words suspicion and skepticism can be used in similar contexts, but suspicion stresses lack of faith in the truth, reality, fairness, or reliability of something or someone.

regarded the stranger with suspicion

Where would uncertainty be a reasonable alternative to skepticism?

While in some cases nearly identical to skepticism, 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 skepticism For all my initial skepticism, however, much of the first half of The Dog Stars held my attention. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026 Her final album, Rockstar, celebrated a 2022 induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame that Parton had greeted, at first, with great skepticism. — Ann Powers, NPR, 26 Aug. 2026 Claims about detox, immunity boosts, anti-aging and weight management draw much more skepticism from doctors. — Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 25 Aug. 2026 Claims that on-demand IV cocktails deliver detox, immunity boosts, anti-aging effects or weight management draw more skepticism from clinicians. — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for skepticism

Recent Examples of Synonyms for skepticism

Noun

In most other franchises, a 4-2 road trip through two New York boroughs could calm the speculation, but one with such enormous standards — and that has already taken drastic action — doesn’t receive that benefit of the doubt.

— Chandler Rome, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Without a doubt, opponents of the deal will seize on that as evidence of its being exploitative and will demand renegotiation on that basis.

— Michael Lynch, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of doubt

Noun

According to the report, there was no suspicion that Russini was closer to Vrabel than anyone else.

— Andrew Marchand, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Once viewed with suspicion by much of the political establishment, nationalist parties have increasingly gained influence within governments and European institutions.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of suspicion

Noun

Future Vikings Ring of Honor member Harrison Smith’s status remains up in the air, but the team’s uncertainty at the position suggests his return would be welcome.

— Alec Lewis, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
The uncertainty has left many California homeowners at war with their insurers.

— Evan Bush, NBC news, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of uncertainty

Noun

Blanche is also confronting growing distrust of the Justice Department among judges, who in multiple cases have accused government lawyers of withholding information or misleading courts.

— Alanna Durkin Richer, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
Plague has ravaged the population and left trauma, uncertainty, and distrust of authority in its wake.

— Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of distrust

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“Skepticism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skepticism. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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