doubt 1 of 2

doubt

2 of 2

verb

as in to question
to have no trust or confidence in I doubt that you can do all that you say

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun doubt differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of doubt are dubiety, mistrust, skepticism, suspicion, and uncertainty. While all these words mean "lack of sureness about someone or something," doubt suggests both uncertainty and inability to make a decision.

plagued by doubts as to what to do

When might dubiety be a better fit than doubt?

The synonyms dubiety and doubt are sometimes interchangeable, but dubiety stresses a wavering between conclusions.

felt some dubiety about its practicality

When could mistrust be used to replace doubt?

The meanings of mistrust and doubt largely overlap; however, mistrust implies a genuine doubt based upon suspicion.

had a great mistrust of doctors

When would skepticism be a good substitute for doubt?

The words skepticism and doubt can be used in similar contexts, but skepticism implies unwillingness to believe without conclusive evidence.

an economic forecast greeted with skepticism

When is suspicion a more appropriate choice than doubt?

Although the words suspicion and doubt have much in common, suspicion stresses lack of faith in the truth, reality, fairness, or reliability of something or someone.

regarded the stranger with suspicion

When is it sensible to use uncertainty instead of doubt?

In some situations, the words uncertainty and doubt are roughly equivalent. However, uncertainty may range from a falling short of certainty to an almost complete lack of conviction or knowledge especially about an outcome or result.

assumed the role of manager without hesitation or uncertainty

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of doubt
Noun
For Howard, there’s no doubt in his mind Andre saved his sister’s life. Alaa Elassar, CNN, 9 Feb. 2025 But a Canadian Broadcasting Corporation investigation in 2023 shed doubt on the singer's claims of Indigenous ancestry. Chloe Veltman, NPR, 8 Feb. 2025
Verb
To do so would be to doubt the players in his locker room. Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 2 Feb. 2025 Many observers doubt that the new administration, led by HTS, will be representative of all armed actors in Syria, let alone Syria’s broader society. Nafees Hamid, Foreign Affairs, 31 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for doubt 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for doubt
Noun
  • In the White House now is someone who has openly admired Putin, expressed skepticism over U.S. support for Ukraine and rushed to bully America’s closest allies in Latin America, Canada and Europe.
    Ronald H. Linden, The Conversation, 10 Feb. 2025
  • Most economists express skepticism that a higher tariff regime would lead to such a boom, saying most costs would trickle down to American consumers.
    Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 7 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell has put out guidance on how school officials should respond should immigration agents attempt to question or remove students.
    Ray Sanchez, CNN, 8 Feb. 2025
  • Members of Elon Musk’s team reportedly have accessed sensitive department data, and some members of Congress went to department headquarters to question the team but were denied access.
    Jennifer Smith Richards, ProPublica, 8 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • As doctors tried to treat her, Kate’s parents openly discussed their suspicions that a conspiracy was forming around them – and that medical staff couldn’t be trusted.
    Hilary Whiteman, CNN, 15 Feb. 2025
  • He was tasked with heading a congressional investigation into suspicions that wildly popular TV game shows like 21 were fixed.
    Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 14 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The Trump administration, through a memo circulated last month by the U.S. Department of Justice, has threatened to investigate any state or city officials suspected of blocking federal efforts to remove undocumented immigrants.
    Imani Cruzen, Twin Cities, 10 Feb. 2025
  • And as McCarthy’s activities stoked fears of anticommunist subversion, thousands of additional Americans, by some estimates, lost their jobs, their freedom to speak or travel freely, and even their lives for being suspected of left-wing beliefs or associations.
    Made by History, TIME, 9 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Probationary periods apply not only to new hires but also to veteran staff who have recently been promoted into management roles, adding another layer of uncertainty amid the shake-up.
    Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025
  • Industry executives have stayed bullish even as the Trump administration announced a slew of economic and regulatory policy shifts that fueled uncertainty.
    Manya Saini and Niket Nishant, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near doubt

Cite this Entry

“Doubt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/doubt. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.

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