sceptical

/ˈskeptɪkl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈskeptɪkl/ (ame, ipa)

sceptical — adjective

  • scepticalpositive
  • more scepticalcomparative
  • most scepticalsuperlative

1. not willing to believe something without clear evidence; having or showing doubt

1.形容詞B2
釋義

not willing to believe something without clear evidence; having or showing doubt about whether a claim, idea, or plan is true, genuine, or likely to succeed

例句

Diya was deeply sceptical about the company's promise to double her salary within a year.

sceptical about + noun phrase; deeply (common adverb)

Many residents remain sceptical that the new train link will ever be completed on time.

sceptical + that-clause for doubting a future event

同義詞
  • doubtful

    More neutral and general; often used for uncertainty about outcomes ('doubtful whether it will rain') rather than a principled stance of questioning

  • cynical

    Stronger and more negative; suggests a general distrust of people's motives rather than an evidence-based questioning of a specific claim

  • suspicious

    Carries a connotation of expecting something wrong or dishonest, whereas sceptical implies a rational demand for proof

  • questioning

    More neutral; focuses on the act of asking rather than on withholding belief

反義詞
  • trusting

    Describes someone who readily believes without asking for evidence

  • convinced

    Describes someone who has already accepted a claim as true

文法句型

sceptical + about/of + noun phrase

sceptical + that-clause

sceptical + about/of + whether/why/how + clause

sceptical + noun (look/expression/eyebrow)

用法筆記

The American English spelling is skeptical, though the word is understood and used in both varieties. This adjective is frequently followed by about or of when the object of doubt is a thing or idea, and by a that-clause when expressing doubt about a proposition or future event.

常見錯誤

❌I am sceptical for the new policy.
✅I am sceptical about the new policy.
💡Use about or of (not for) to introduce the target of doubt.
❌She was sceptical to join the project.
✅She was sceptical about joining the project.
💡After sceptical, use about + gerund, not a to-infinitive.