What does skeptical mean?
Definitions for skeptical
ˈskɛp tɪ kəlskep·ti·cal
This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word skeptical.
Princeton's WordNet
disbelieving, skeptical, sceptical, unbelievingadjective
denying or questioning the tenets of especially a religion
"a skeptical approach to the nature of miracles"
doubting, questioning, skeptical, scepticaladjective
marked by or given to doubt
"a skeptical attitude"; "a skeptical listener"
Wiktionary
skepticaladjective
Having, or expressing doubt; questioning.
skepticaladjective
Of or relating to skepticism or the skeptics.
Samuel Johnson's Dictionary
Skepticaladjective
Doubtful; pretending to universal doubt.
Etymology: from skeptick.
May the Father of mercies confirm the sceptical and wavering minds, and so prevent us that stand fast, in all our doings, and further us with his continual help. Richard Bentley.
Wikipedia
skeptical
Skepticism, also spelled scepticism, is a questioning attitude or doubt toward knowledge claims that are seen as mere belief or dogma. For example, if a person is skeptical about claims made by their government about an ongoing war then the person doubts that these claims are accurate. In such cases, skeptics normally recommend not disbelief but suspension of belief, i.e. maintaining a neutral attitude that neither affirms nor denies the claim. This attitude is often motivated by the impression that the available evidence is insufficient to support the claim. Formally, skepticism is a topic of interest in philosophy, particularly epistemology. More informally, skepticism as an expression of questioning or doubt can be applied to any topic, such as politics, religion, or pseudoscience. It is often applied within restricted domains, such as morality (moral skepticism), atheism (skepticism about the existence of God), or the supernatural. Some theorists distinguish "good" or moderate skepticism, which seeks strong evidence before accepting a position, from "bad" or radical skepticism, which wants to suspend judgment indefinitely. Philosophical skepticism is one important form of skepticism. It rejects knowledge claims that seem certain from the perspective of common sense. Radical forms of philosophical skepticism deny that "knowledge or rational belief is possible and urge us to suspend judgment on many or all controversial matters." More moderate forms claim only that nothing can be known with certainty, or that we can know little or nothing about nonempirical matters, such as whether God exists, whether human beings have free will, or whether there is an afterlife. In ancient philosophy, skepticism was understood as a way of life associated with inner peace. Skepticism has been responsible for many important developments in science and philosophy. It has also inspired several contemporary social movements. Religious skepticism advocates for doubt concerning basic religious principles, such as immortality, providence, and revelation. Scientific skepticism advocates for testing beliefs for reliability, by subjecting them to systematic investigation using the scientific method, to discover empirical evidence for them.
ChatGPT
Skeptical
Skeptical can be defined as having a questioning or doubting attitude towards something, usually in regards to claims, beliefs, or evidence. It involves the inclination to withhold judgment until sufficient evidence or reasoning is presented. Skeptical individuals tend to scrutinize and critically evaluate information before accepting or rejecting it.
Webster Dictionary
Skepticaladjective
of or pertaining to a sceptic or skepticism; characterized by skepticism; hesitating to admit the certainly of doctrines or principles; doubting of everything
Skepticaladjective
doubting or denying the truth of revelation, or the sacred Scriptures
Etymology: [Written also sceptic, sceptical.]
Numerology
Chaldean Numerology
The numerical value of skeptical in Chaldean Numerology is: 3
Pythagorean Numerology
The numerical value of skeptical in Pythagorean Numerology is: 6
Examples of skeptical in a Sentence
You can't get a verifiable list of anything unless nuclear weapons experts are part of the process, is President Trump going to create a list of all those facilities? Does he even know where some of these places are? I would be very skeptical.
I'm a little skeptical about quantifying the health impact. We have models that can show range, but certainly this will have a negative health impact, no matter what the number.
He tends to talk about things that are right versus wrong. And that's something that I think many evangelicals identify with. And I'm sure there are some who may be a little skeptical about some of the depth of his evangelical conversion. But they like the fact that he paints things in a way that is very clear.
I expect to see some bargain hunting but I'm skeptical the rise (in oil prices) could continue.
Fortunately you did n’t invite anybody skeptical of global warming this year.
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Translations for skeptical
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"skeptical." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 26 Apr. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/skeptical>.
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