skeptical
Hard to persuade
Skeptical describes a doubting or questioning attitude, especially toward claims that others accept readily.
A skeptical person wants evidence before believing: I'm skeptical of get-rich-quick schemes.
The word can suggest healthy critical thinking or stubborn refusal to accept what seems obvious.
Scientists are trained to be skeptical; conspiracy theorists are skeptical of the wrong things.
Rejection of truth claims
- questioningSeeking answers through inquiry
- incredulityInability to accept something
- uncertaintyState of being unsure
- misgivingsFeelings of doubt
hesitation · reservation · ambivalence · unconvinced · dubious · doubtful · leery · incredulous
Governed by logic
- empiricalBased on observation, not theory
- logicalBased on valid reasoning
- objectivePurpose or goal
- evidence-basedSupported by verified data
scientific · investigative · questioning · data-driven · fact-checking · rigorous · methodical · discerning
Doubting human goodness
- negativeOpposite of affirmative
- scoffingMocking with contempt
- mockingScornfully imitating or ridiculing
- eye-rollingExpressive gesture of annoyance
sneer · derisive · contemptuous · jaded · unimpressed · disbelieving · scornful · incredulous
Lack of faith
- suspicionSense of unease about motives
- cynicismDistrust of human sincerity
- warinessCautious distrust
- paranoiaIrrational persecution fears
distrust · caution · apprehension · discredit · disbelief · jaded · world-weary · disillusioned
Doubt about divine existence
- empiricismKnowledge through observation
- epistemologicalRelating to knowledge theory
- freethoughtReason-based belief formation
- rationalismReason as knowledge source
secularism · atheism · naturalism · materialism · inquiry · open-minded · falsifiability
disbelief
Rejection of truth claims
- questioningSeeking answers through inquiry
- incredulityInability to accept something
- uncertaintyState of being unsure
misgivings · hesitation · reservation · ambivalence · unconvinced · dubious · doubtful · leery · incredulous · unpersuaded
rational
Governed by logic
evidence-based · scientific · investigative · questioning · data-driven · fact-checking · rigorous · methodical · discerning · probing
cynical
Doubting human goodness
- negativeOpposite of affirmative
- scoffingMocking with contempt
- mockingScornfully imitating or ridiculing
eye-rolling · sneer · derisive · contemptuous · jaded · unimpressed · disbelieving · scornful · incredulous
mistrust
Lack of faith
paranoia · distrust · caution · apprehension · discredit · disbelief · jaded · world-weary · disillusioned · untrusting
agnosticism
Doubt about divine existence
- empiricismKnowledge through observation
- epistemologicalRelating to knowledge theory
- freethoughtReason-based belief formation
rationalism · secularism · atheism · naturalism · materialism · inquiry · open-minded · falsifiability
- certaintycertain, sure, uncertain, unsure, definite
- uncertaintyuncertainty, uncertain, unknown, unsure, unclear
- skepticismdoubt, doubts, debunker, doubtful, suspension of judgment
- attitudespositive, negative, ambition, apathy, curiosity
- question tonescurious, doubtful, probing, inquisitive, interrogative
- philosophical termsSocratic, Kantian, Cartesian, Aristotelian, dialectical
skepticalcredulous
Prone to blind trust
gullible · trusting · believing · uncritical · unquestioning
skepticalcertain
Free from doubt
convinced · sure · confident · positive · undoubting
skepticalnaive
Innocently unsuspecting
gullible · wide-eyed · innocent · inexperienced · unsophisticated
- vaccine skepticOne doubting immunization safety
- skeptical lookFacial expression conveying doubt
- climate skepticOne questioning global warming
- climate skepticismDoubt about atmospheric science
- scientific skepticismEvidence-demanding epistemological stance
- skeptical inquiryEvidence-demanding examination of claims