WordGarden.ioskeptically
C2Pronunciation
UK
US
- /ˈskɛptɪkəli/
Meanings
Adverb
in a way that shows doubt or disbelief
Beyond the definition
To act skeptically means to approach something with doubt and questions. It is not always negative. It often means someone wants evidence before accepting something as true. Imagine a detective at a crime scene. They would not believe the first story they hear right away; they would look at everything skeptically, searching for clues and signs that something does not fit. You might react skeptically to a friend's wild story about winning the lottery, raising an eyebrow and asking for proof. It suggests a careful, questioning mindset rather than blind faith.
The word skeptically describes how something is done: with doubt, suspicion, or disbelief. It is more than just disagreeing; it suggests that someone wants convincing evidence before accepting a claim as true. The root of "skeptic" comes from the Greek word "skepsis," meaning "thoughtful inquiry." So being skeptical is not necessarily negative. It can be a sign of careful thinking.
You might skeptically examine a politician's promises, carefully considering their track record before believing them. A scientist approaches new data skeptically, rigorously testing hypotheses to ensure accuracy. A child might look skeptically at a magician performing a trick, trying to figure out how it's done.
The adverb skeptically often modifies verbs of perception or reaction, like "looked," "questioned," or "responded." For example: "She looked skeptically at the offer, wondering what the catch was." It shows a cautious and questioning response instead of immediate acceptance.
So, when someone acts skeptically, they are not necessarily being cynical or dismissive. They simply want evidence and think carefully before forming an opinion. They approach the world with a healthy sense of "show me."
Examples
- 1
Digital safety
Nina looked at the email skeptically before clicking the link.
- 2
Doubtful question
"You fixed it by yourself?" his brother asked skeptically.
- 3
Advertising claim
Many customers reacted skeptically to the store's promise of "lifetime" batteries.
- 4
Scientific evidence
Scientists viewed the early results skeptically because the study was so small.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Initial doubt
I listened skeptically at first, but her explanation was more convincing than I expected.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
- trustingly
- credulously
Do not confuse
Used with (collocations)
- view skeptically
- regard skeptically
- look skeptically at
- react skeptically
Word family
Explore
- critical thinking
- burden of proof
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- skepticallyadverb