sceptical
Requiring more proof
Sceptical is the British spelling of skeptical—inclined to doubt or question claims, especially those accepted without evidence.
A sceptical person withholds belief until convinced: She remained sceptical of his excuses.
The word suggests healthy questioning rather than cynical dismissal.
Uncertain of truth
- unconvincedNot yet believing
- suspiciousInclined to distrust
- waryGuardedly alert
- distrustfulLacking faith in others
incredulous · leery · hesitant · uncertain · dubious · cautious · guarded · mistrustful
Seeking answers through inquiry
- probingThoroughly investigating something
- scrutinyClose, careful examination
- analyticalExamining parts methodically
- examiningInspecting with care
critical · evaluating · investigating · challenging · fact-checking · verifying · cross-examining · interrogating
Doubt about divine existence
- empiricismKnowledge through observation
- rationalismReason as knowledge source
- freethinkingIntellectually independent reasoning
- epistemologyTheory of knowledge
methodological · scientific · Cartesian · secularism · naturalism
doubtful
Uncertain of truth
- unconvincedNot yet believing
- suspiciousInclined to distrust
- waryGuardedly alert
distrustful · incredulous · leery · hesitant · uncertain · dubious · cautious · guarded · mistrustful · reserved
questioning
Seeking answers through inquiry
- probingThoroughly investigating something
- scrutinyClose, careful examination
- analyticalExamining parts methodically
examining · critical · evaluating · investigating · challenging · fact-checking · verifying · cross-examining · interrogating · dissecting
agnosticism
Doubt about divine existence
- empiricismKnowledge through observation
- rationalismReason as knowledge source
- freethinkingIntellectually independent reasoning
epistemology · methodological · scientific · Cartesian · secularism · naturalism
scepticalbelieving
Accepting as true
credulous · gullible · trusting · uncritical · unquestioning
- climate scepticDoubts mainstream environmental science