unconvinced

IPA/ˌʌnkənˈvɪnst/
KK[ˌʌnkənvˈɪnst]IPA/ˌʌnkənˈvɪnst/

unconvinced — adjective

  • unconvincedpositive
  • more unconvincedcomparative
  • most unconvincedsuperlative

1. still not accepting a claim, explanation, or promise as true or reliable after h

1.adjectiveB2
Definition

still not accepting a claim, explanation, or promise as true or reliable after hearing the reasons for it.

Example

Niran remained unconvinced by the sales pitch and asked for the numbers in writing.

remain unconvinced by + noun phrase

Elena looked unconvinced when her brother said the missing bike would return by itself.

look unconvinced when + clause

Common collocations
  • remain unconvinced
  • look unconvinced
  • seem unconvinced
  • unconvinced by the evidence
  • unconvinced about the plan
  • unconvinced that
Synonyms
  • skeptical

    broader and often describes a general habit of doubting claims, not just the result of one failed attempt to persuade

  • doubtful

    can mean you think something is unlikely, even without hearing a detailed argument first

  • unsure

    more everyday and often used for your own uncertainty about a choice or fact

Antonyms
  • convinced

    the direct opposite; you accept the evidence or argument

  • persuaded

    emphasizes that another person successfully changed your mind

  • certain

    stronger opposite; it suggests that no real doubt remains

Grammar Patterns

be unconvinced by + noun phrase

be unconvinced about + noun phrase

be unconvinced (that) + clause

look / seem unconvinced

Usage Note

Usually follows be, remain, seem, look, or sound rather than coming before a noun. It often suggests that reasons, promises, or evidence were offered, but they still failed to change someone's mind.

Common Mistakes

We were skeptical by his excuse.
We were unconvinced by his excuse.
unconvinced naturally follows by when an explanation fails to persuade you; skeptical usually takes about or of.
I'm unconvinced to change the plan.
I'm unconvinced that changing the plan is a good idea.
unconvinced is followed by a that-clause or by/about phrase, not a bare to-infinitive.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

Unconvinced, skeptical, doubtful, and unsure all express a lack of confidence, but they point to different situations. Unconvinced usually comes after someone has offered reasons, promises, or evidence, and you still do not accept them: 'The board was unconvinced by the proposal.' Skeptical is broader and often describes a habit of questioning claims before believing them. Doubtful often suggests that you think something is unlikely, not just unproved. Unsure is the most everyday and often describes your own uncertainty about a choice, such as being unsure which train to take. A skeptical person may ask for more proof, but an unconvinced person has already heard the case and is still not won over.

unconvinced ↗skeptical ↗doubtful ↗unsure ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • remain unconvinced
  • be left unconvinced
  • look unconvinced
  • sound unconvinced

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Unconvinced was formed in English by adding the negative prefix un- to convinced. Convinced comes from convince, which reached English through French from the Latin verb convincere, meaning 'to prove' or 'overcome in argument.' The literal idea behind unconvinced is therefore 'not won over by proof or argument,' which is still close to its modern meaning.

First known use

1675

1675, in the meaning defined above