| English Dictionary |
SKEPTICAL
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| IPA (US): |  |
Dictionary entry overview: What does skeptical mean?
• SKEPTICAL (adjective)
The adjective SKEPTICAL has 2 senses:
1. denying or questioning the tenets of especially a religion
2. marked by or given to doubt
Familiarity information: SKEPTICAL used as an adjective is rare.
Dictionary entry details
Sense 1
Meaning:
Denying or questioning the tenets of especially a religion
Synonyms:
disbelieving; sceptical; skeptical; unbelieving
Context example:
a skeptical approach to the nature of miracles
Similar:
incredulous (not disposed or willing to believe; unbelieving)
Derivation:
skeptic (someone who habitually doubts accepted beliefs)
skepticism (doubt about the truth of something)
skepticism (the disbelief in any claims of ultimate knowledge)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Marked by or given to doubt
Synonyms:
doubting; questioning; sceptical; skeptical
Context example:
a skeptical listener
Similar:
distrustful (having or showing distrust)
Derivation:
skeptic (someone who habitually doubts accepted beliefs)
skepticism (doubt about the truth of something)
skepticism (the disbelief in any claims of ultimate knowledge)
Context examples
Be skeptical.
(Evaluating Health Information, NIH: National Library of Medicine)
| Learn English with... Proverbs |
"Any new saint-to-be has his miracles to make" (Breton proverb)
"I'm already drowning so why should I fear getting wet?" (Arabic proverb)
"All too good is neighbours fool." (Dutch proverb)