doubt 1 of 2

noun

Definition of doubtnext
as in skepticism
a feeling or attitude that one does not know the truth, truthfulness, or trustworthiness of someone or something from the beginning I had my doubts about the investment scheme

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

doubt

2 of 2

verb

ˈdau̇t How to pronounce doubt (audio)
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

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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
In the Broadway version of the script, some of the juicier Jacksonian references are less evident than was the case in Chicago, but there still can be no reasonable doubt where Jacobs-Jenkins got the idea. —Chris Jones, New York Daily News, 18 Mar. 2025 As the maison offers fresh complications, metals, configurations, sizes, and more, there’s little doubt that the Overseas’ prestige will only continue to grow. —Oren Hartov, Robb Report, 18 Mar. 2025
Verb
The author also recalled how her openness with drugs made her former agents doubt her appeal with audiences. —Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 11 Mar. 2025 Only people who didn’t believe in science itself, the rhetoric on one side went, would doubt the recent guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the official explanation for COVID-19’s origins, the need to enforce curfews. —Jacob Turcotte, The Christian Science Monitor, 11 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for doubt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for doubt
  1. skepticism
  2. question
  3. suspicion
  4. suspect
  5. uncertainty
Noun
  • At the same time, skepticism remains, with industry leaders such as Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang cautioning that meaningful commercial quantum applications could still be decades away.
    — Dr. Ekta Dang, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025
  • Jack Schlossberg made his snarky pitch in an Instagram video Thursday addressed to the wife of his cousin, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who was made Trump’s secretary of health and human services — despite his skepticism of life-saving vaccines.
    — Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 7 Mar. 2025
Definition of skepticism
Verb
  • Angela questions before May decides to just delete Instagram.
    — Nicole Fell, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Mar. 2025
  • O’Connell can’t afford to see his leadership questioned Rodgers knows how to play the interview game.
    — Steve Silverman, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
Definition of question
Noun
  • Such sticker shocks frustrate consumers and raise suspicions of price gouging.
    — Greg Petro, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
  • No one’s immune from suspicion, not even Kathryn, who has a way of smiling and purring through her answers to anyone’s questions.
    — Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of suspicion
Verb
  • At the beginning of the session, does Briony suspect that Jamie is guilty?
    — Lily Ford, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Mar. 2025
  • Georgia brothers found dead on mountain Family members suspect foul play in the deaths of twin brothers, Naazir and Qaadir Lewis, found shot to death atop Bell Mountain in Georgia, FOX 5 Atlanta reports.
    — Pilar Arias, Fox News, 18 Mar. 2025
Definition of suspect
Noun
  • The uncertainty comes as the Fort Worth Independent School District is in the middle of developing a facilities plan to help the district keep up with declining enrollment.
    — Silas Allen, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Mar. 2025
  • With uncertainty because of tariffs already rattling markets, a government shutdown could prove disastrous.
    — JJ Kinahan, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
Definition of uncertainty

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Cite this Entry

“Doubt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/doubt. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on doubt

Nglish: Translation of doubt for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about doubt

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