doubts
Questions about truthfulness
Doubts are feelings of uncertainty or lack of conviction.
When you have doubts about something, you're not sure it's true, wise, or likely to succeed: I have my doubts about this plan.
To doubt is to question or feel uncertain: I doubt he'll show up.
Beyond a reasonable doubt is the legal standard for criminal conviction—near certainty.
No doubt means certainly or very probably: No doubt she's already heard the news.
Absence of confidence
- mistrustLack of faith
- warinessCautious distrust
- misgivingsFeelings of doubt
- paranoiaIrrational persecution fears
unease · apprehension · watchfulness · guardedness · qualms · reservations · concern · worry
Openness to multiple interpretations
- confusionMental disorientation or bewilderment
- perplexityMental state of confusion
- puzzlementState of being baffled
- bewildermentState of being baffled
vagueness · unclear · unpredictability · insecurity · ambivalence · indecision · irresolution · quandary
Temporary cessation of activity
- reluctanceDisinclination to act
- waveringShowing unsteady resolve
- second-guessingReconsidering a decision made
- falteringBecoming unsteady or weak
qualm · scruple · misgiving · reservation · reticence · tentativeness · demurral · inhibition
Rejection of truth claims
- questioningSeeking answers through inquiry
- incredulityInability to accept something
- cynicismDistrust of human sincerity
- scrutinyClose, careful examination
debunking · challenge · unconvinced · dubious · leery · wary · guarded · mistrustful
Decisive dangerous moment
- waveringShowing unsteady resolve
- apostasyRenunciation of former beliefs
- agnosticismDoubt about divine existence
- spiritualRelating to the soul
belief · conviction · trust · reassurance · certainty · affirmation · backsliding · lapsed
Request for information
- queryRequest for information
- challengeTest of ability
- probeThorough examination or tool
- interrogationFormal, probing examination
examination · cross-examination · grilling · investigation · scrutiny · inquest · exploration · reassessment
distrust
Absence of confidence
- mistrustLack of faith
- warinessCautious distrust
- misgivingsFeelings of doubt
paranoia · unease · apprehension · watchfulness · guardedness · qualms · reservations · concern · worry · anxiety
ambiguity
Openness to multiple interpretations
- confusionMental disorientation or bewilderment
- perplexityMental state of confusion
- puzzlementState of being baffled
bewilderment · vagueness · unclear · unpredictability · insecurity · ambivalence · indecision · irresolution · quandary · dilemma
pause
Temporary cessation of activity
- reluctanceDisinclination to act
- waveringShowing unsteady resolve
- second-guessingReconsidering a decision made
faltering · qualm · scruple · misgiving · reservation · reticence · tentativeness · demurral · inhibition · timidity
disbelief
Rejection of truth claims
- questioningSeeking answers through inquiry
- incredulityInability to accept something
- cynicismDistrust of human sincerity
scrutiny · debunking · challenge · unconvinced · dubious · leery · wary · guarded · mistrustful · agnosticism
crisis
Decisive dangerous moment
- waveringShowing unsteady resolve
- apostasyRenunciation of former beliefs
- agnosticismDoubt about divine existence
spiritual · belief · conviction · trust · reassurance · certainty · affirmation · backsliding · lapsed · questioning
inquiry
Request for information
interrogation · examination · cross-examination · grilling · investigation · scrutiny · inquest · exploration · reassessment · reconsideration
- doubtskepticism, mistrust, suspicion, distrust, disbelief
- hidden thingssecrets, motives, agendas, subtext, undercurrents
- skepticismskeptic, debunker, skeptical, skeptical inquiry, suspension of judgment
- inner selfself, soul, psyche, inner being, true self
- mindmind, thought, cognition, consciousness, thinking
- inner lifeidentity, feelings, memory, thoughts, self-discovery
doubtscertainties
Assured truths
convictions · certitudes · assurances · confidences · sureties
- no doubtCertainly, very probably
- without a doubtWith complete certainty
- room for doubtGrounds for skepticism
- in doubtFeeling uncertain, wavering
- benefit of the doubtFavorable judgment amid uncertainty
- doubt itExpression of disbelief
doubt, doubtful, doubting, undoubtedly, doubtless, doubter, doubted, undoubted, doubters