skepticism

Doubt about whether something is true, right, or likely to work.

• His story met with skepticism.
• I understand your skepticism about the plan.
• A little healthy skepticism can help you avoid scams.

How to use it: skepticism about something (She expressed skepticism about the new treatment.)

Similar words: doubt, disbelief, distrust

Opposites: belief, credulity

Common phrases: healthy skepticism, public skepticism, skepticism about something, skepticism toward something

The philosophical belief that we cannot know anything with complete certainty.

• We studied skepticism in philosophy class.
• His argument supports skepticism about absolute knowledge.
• Ancient skepticism questioned whether certainty was possible.

Common phrases: philosophical skepticism, radical skepticism, ancient skepticism