skeptical
adj.-
1 doubting or questioning (adj.) B2 Upper Intermediate American Englishdoubting that something is true or useful.
inclined to doubt or question claims; expressing a lack of belief in the validity of a statement or theory.
ExampleMany people are skeptical about the new law and don't think it will work.
ExampleThe board remained skeptical of the CEO's ambitious projections, demanding more concrete data before approving the expansion.
UsageCommonly followed by the prepositions 'of' or 'about'.
PitfallI am skeptical for his story.I am skeptical of his story.Use the preposition 'of' or 'about' after skeptical to show what you doubt.
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2 philosophical skepticism (adj.) C1 Advanced American English Academicrelating to the philosophical idea that we cannot know anything for certain.
relating to the philosophical school of thought that questions the possibility of absolute knowledge or certainty.
ExampleThe professor discussed the skeptical tradition in ancient Greek philosophy.
ExampleHis skeptical approach to epistemology suggests that human sensory perception is inherently unreliable for determining objective truth.
From Latin scepticus + -al; attested earlier than skeptic. By surface analysis, skeptic + -al.