sceptic
One who doubts
A sceptic doubts claims that others accept readily, demanding evidence before belief.
The word applies especially to those who question religious doctrines, paranormal phenomena, or received wisdom: He was a sceptic about alternative medicine.
Sceptic is the British spelling; Americans write skeptic.
In philosophy, scepticism is the position that certain knowledge is impossible.
One who disbelieves
- disbelieverOne who denies truth
- cynicDoubter of good intentions
- naysayerHabitual dissenter
- questionerOne who poses inquiries
challenger · debunker · unconvinced · incredulous · distrustful · suspicious · wary · leery
Scottish Enlightenment philosopher
- DescartesCogito ergo sum's author
- epistemologyTheory of knowledge
- empiricismKnowledge through observation
- rationalismReason as knowledge source
Cartesian · methodological · philosophical · Socratic · ataraxia · suspension
Seeking answers through inquiry
- scrutinyClose, careful examination
- investigationFormal examination of facts
- examinationMethodical assessment or review
- analysisMethodical study of parts
inquiry · probe · research · evaluation · assessment · verification · testing · cross-examination
Refusal to accept reality
- refutationDisproving a statement
- dismissalRemoval from position
- repudiationFormal refusal to accept
- debunkingProving claims false
disproof · contradiction · rebuttal · negation · discredit · expose · unmasking · pseudoscience
Distrust of human sincerity
- criticismJudgment of faults
- scoffingMocking with contempt
- derisionContemptuous mockery
- mockeryScornful ridicule or travesty
sarcasm · sardonic · jaded · world-weary · hard-boiled · unimpressed · dismissive · eye-roll
doubter
One who disbelieves
- disbelieverOne who denies truth
- cynicDoubter of good intentions
- naysayerHabitual dissenter
questioner · challenger · debunker · unconvinced · incredulous · distrustful · suspicious · wary · leery · hesitant
Hume
Scottish Enlightenment philosopher
- DescartesCogito ergo sum's author
- epistemologyTheory of knowledge
- empiricismKnowledge through observation
rationalism · Cartesian · methodological · philosophical · Socratic · ataraxia · suspension
questioning
Seeking answers through inquiry
- scrutinyClose, careful examination
- investigationFormal examination of facts
- examinationMethodical assessment or review
analysis · inquiry · probe · research · evaluation · assessment · verification · testing · cross-examination · inspection
denial
Refusal to accept reality
- refutationDisproving a statement
- dismissalRemoval from position
- repudiationFormal refusal to accept
debunking · disproof · contradiction · rebuttal · negation · discredit · expose · unmasking · pseudoscience · conspiracy
cynicism
Distrust of human sincerity
mockery · sarcasm · sardonic · jaded · world-weary · hard-boiled · unimpressed · dismissive · eye-roll · side-eye
scepticbeliever
One who accepts something
true believer · adherent · devotee · convert · advocate
- climate scepticDoubts mainstream environmental science