sceptical

sceptical — adjective

1. not willing to believe something without clear evidence; having or showing doubt

1.adjectiveB2
Definition

not willing to believe something without clear evidence; having or showing doubt about whether a claim, idea, or plan is true, genuine, or likely to succeed

Example

Diya was deeply sceptical about the company's promise to double her salary within a year.

sceptical about + noun phrase; deeply (common adverb)

Many residents remain sceptical that the new train link will ever be completed on time.

sceptical + that-clause for doubting a future event

Common collocations
  • deeply sceptical
  • highly sceptical
  • remain sceptical
  • sceptical about
  • sceptical of
  • sceptical look
  • sceptical eyebrow
  • sceptical expression
  • sceptical glance
Synonyms
  • doubtful

    More neutral and general; often used for uncertainty about outcomes ('doubtful whether it will rain') rather than a principled stance of questioning

  • cynical

    Stronger and more negative; suggests a general distrust of people's motives rather than an evidence-based questioning of a specific claim

  • suspicious

    Carries a connotation of expecting something wrong or dishonest, whereas sceptical implies a rational demand for proof

  • questioning

    More neutral; focuses on the act of asking rather than on withholding belief

Antonyms
  • trusting

    Describes someone who readily believes without asking for evidence

  • convinced

    Describes someone who has already accepted a claim as true

Grammar Patterns

sceptical + about/of + noun phrase

sceptical + that-clause

sceptical + about/of + whether/why/how + clause

sceptical + noun (look/expression/eyebrow)

Usage Note

The American English spelling is skeptical, though the word is understood and used in both varieties. This adjective is frequently followed by about or of when the object of doubt is a thing or idea, and by a that-clause when expressing doubt about a proposition or future event.

Common Mistakes

I am sceptical for the new policy.
I am sceptical about the new policy.
Use about or of (not for) to introduce the target of doubt.
She was sceptical to join the project.
She was sceptical about joining the project.
After sceptical, use about + gerund, not a to-infinitive.

Word family

  • sceptic
    nounB2
  • sceptically
    adverbB2
  • scepticism
    nounB2
  • skeptical
    adjectiveB2
  • skeptic
    nounB2
  • skepticism
    nounB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All four words involve a lack of certainty, but they differ in tone and scope. Sceptical suggests a rational, evidence-based reluctance to believe — you need proof before you are convinced. ('Scientists are sceptical of claims that lack peer review.'). Doubtful is more neutral and often describes uncertainty about whether something will happen or is true ('It is doubtful whether the repair will be finished today.'). Suspicious carries a stronger negative connotation, implying distrust or a belief that something is wrong ('The police were suspicious of the driver's explanation.'). Cynical goes furthest, suggesting a general disbelief in people's good motives or in the possibility of positive outcomes ('After years of broken promises, she became cynical about political reform.'). Questioning is the mildest and most neutral, simply describing someone who asks questions rather than someone who withholds belief.

doubtful ↗suspicious ↗cynical ↗questioning ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • remain sceptical
  • view with scepticism
  • sceptical at first

Prepositions

Etymology

GreekLatinFrenchEnglish

Comes from the Greek word skeptikos, meaning 'thoughtful' or 'inquiring', which was the name of an ancient Greek school of philosophy (the Skeptics) who argued that certain knowledge is impossible. The word passed through Latin (scepticus) and French (sceptique) before entering English in the 1500s. The modern meaning — 'inclined to question rather than accept' — grew out of this philosophical tradition.