disbelieving
Refusing to accept
Disbelieving describes the state of not believing something, often with an element of surprise or skepticism.
A disbelieving look or stare suggests someone finds what they're hearing hard to accept: She gave him a disbelieving glance when he claimed to have finished all his work.
The tone can range from genuine doubt to incredulous amazement.
Uncertain of truth
- dubiousOf uncertain reliability
- unconvincedNot yet believing
- questioningSeeking answers through inquiry
- uncertainNot firmly known
quizzical · hesitant · wary · leery · guarded · cautious · mistrustful · distrustful
Unable to understand
- perplexedThoroughly confused, uncertain
- baffledUtterly unable to understand
- bewilderedThoroughly puzzled and confused
- confoundedThoroughly puzzled or frustrated
mystified · bemused · uncertain · wondering · unsure · questioning · lost · thrown
Examining something very closely
- examiningInspecting with care
- questioningSeeking answers through inquiry
- probingThoroughly investigating something
- investigatingSeeking facts systematically
interrogating · cross-examining · fact-checking · verifying · challenging · testing · vetting · evaluating
Greatly shocked, overwhelmed
- dumbfoundedRendered speechless by surprise
- flabbergastedOverwhelmed with amazement
- gobsmackedExtremely astonished
- shockedDeeply startled or appalled
stunned · astounded · staggered · amazed · aghast · wide-eyed · slack-jawed · open-mouthed
Refusing to accept
- refusingDeclining to accept
- dismissingRemoving from position
- repudiatingFormally refusing to acknowledge
- negatingNullifying or invalidating
contradicting · disputing · contesting · rebuffing · resisting · opposing · defiant · obstinate
doubtful
Uncertain of truth
- dubiousOf uncertain reliability
- unconvincedNot yet believing
- questioningSeeking answers through inquiry
uncertain · quizzical · hesitant · wary · leery · guarded · cautious · mistrustful · distrustful · suspicious
confused
Unable to understand
- perplexedThoroughly confused, uncertain
- baffledUtterly unable to understand
- bewilderedThoroughly puzzled and confused
confounded · mystified · bemused · uncertain · wondering · unsure · questioning · lost · thrown · disconcerted
scrutinizing
Examining something very closely
- examiningInspecting with care
- questioningSeeking answers through inquiry
- probingThoroughly investigating something
investigating · interrogating · cross-examining · fact-checking · verifying · challenging · testing · vetting · evaluating · assessing
astonished
Greatly shocked, overwhelmed
- dumbfoundedRendered speechless by surprise
- flabbergastedOverwhelmed with amazement
- gobsmackedExtremely astonished
shocked · stunned · astounded · staggered · amazed · aghast · wide-eyed · slack-jawed · open-mouthed · startled
rejecting
Refusing to accept
- refusingDeclining to accept
- dismissingRemoving from position
- repudiatingFormally refusing to acknowledge
negating · contradicting · disputing · contesting · rebuffing · resisting · opposing · defiant · obstinate · in denial
disbelievingbelieving
Accepting as true
trusting · credulous · gullible · trustful · unsuspecting
disbelievingunquestioning
Accepting without challenge
uncritical · credulous · gullible · wide-eyed · ingenuous