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

Synonym Chooser

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
There is no doubt in my mind people believed it because Mel was involved. —New York Daily News, 29 Mar. 2025 However, influential skeptics such as Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have long raised doubts about the benefits of fluoride. —Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 28 Mar. 2025
Verb
Soon, he was flooded with messages from a group text thread of his best friends, sharing social media posts doubting McCollum. —Cj Moore, The Athletic, 21 Mar. 2025 Students have raised their SAT scores by over 350 points, and many who once doubted their potential have gained acceptance to Ivy League institutions. —Lauren Carpenter, USA TODAY, 21 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
  • Over 10 days, formerly successful romance novelist Frances must cast aside her skepticism and immerse herself in the intriguing guests and hosts at Tranquillum House.
    — Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Data Center Demand Concerns There is increasing skepticism about the sustainability of the current AI spending surge.
    — Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
Definition of skepticism
Verb
  • Legal experts are questioning the authority of the Trump administration to pause the federal funding.
    — Selina Wang, ABC News, 9 Apr. 2025
  • A number of filmmakers and institutions are questioning the legality of NEH grant cancellations, pointing out that the funding was originally authorized by Congress.
    — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of question
Noun
  • And there’s no way the Hatches, with their matriarch’s suspicion of television generally, would have gotten a color TV.
    — Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2025
  • The report concluded that the university administration had repeatedly failed to address the concerns of pro-Palestinian demonstrators and, instead, treated them with suspicion.
    — Sharon Otterman, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2025
Definition of suspicion
Verb
  • In 2023, Cook and Mertz came out with an improved algorithm that used much less memory—barely more than the maximum allowed for problems in L. Many researchers now suspect that tree evaluation is in L after all, and that a proof is only a matter of time.
    — Ben Brubaker, Wired News, 30 Mar. 2025
  • Investigators suspected a serial killer, but for over 10 years, no arrests were made.
    — Kelsey Lentz, People.com, 30 Mar. 2025
Definition of suspect
Noun
  • In recent months, Cat & Cloud Coffee, based in Santa Cruz, has turned down offers to open new cafes in the city because of the uncertainty generated by Trump’s tariffs, said company owner Charles Jack.
    — Paul Davidson, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2025
  • The Texas worker, who asked not to be named over concern about the uncertainty of the situation, told CBS News the full premium for continuation of health coverage was $1,300 each month for a single person, along with a 2% administrative fee and additional out-of-pocket costs.
    — Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of uncertainty

Browse Nearby Words

doubly
doubt
doubtable
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Cite this Entry

“Doubt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/doubt. Accessed 13 Apr. 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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