skeptic

noun

skep·​tic ˈskep-tik 

1

: an adherent or advocate of skepticism

2

: a person disposed to skepticism especially regarding religion or religious principles

Synonyms

• disbeliever
• doubter
• doubting Thomas
• questioner
• unbeliever

Examples of skeptic in a Sentence

Skeptics have pointed out flaws in the researchers' methods.

You can believe in ghosts if you like, but I'm still a skeptic.

He is a skeptic and a cynic.

Recent Examples on the Web

The county, which has transitioned in recent decades from a solidly Republican swath to a more political diverse region, has its share of election skeptics. —Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2024

The jury is out on whether this is the case, but the investor skeptics regarding the CSRD isn’t an encouraging sign. —Robert G. Eccles, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024

There is an emerging maxim that the only liberal Harris skeptics are the terminally online. —Jay Caspian Kang, The New Yorker, 1 Nov. 2024

But a substantial number of Republican voters now identify as vaccine skeptics — and Trump rarely mentions what’s considered one of the great public health accomplishments in recent memory. —Darius Tahir, CNN, 30 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin or Greek; Latin scepticus, from Greek skeptikos, from skeptikos thoughtful, from skeptesthai to look, consider — more at spy

First Known Use

1587, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

skeptic

noun

skep·​tic ˈskep-tik 

: a person slow to believe or ready to question : doubter