noun · 7 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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General-American:/ˈskɛp.tɪˌsɪ.zəm/
Mid-Atlantic, US:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
CMU ARPABET:S K EH1 P T IH0 S IH2 Z AH0 M
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
noun
Meaning 1
The practice or philosophy of being a skeptic.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: US, countable, uncountable
Topics: human-sciences, philosophy, sciences
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
noun
Meaning 2
A studied attitude of questioning and doubt.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: US, countable, uncountable
Topics: human-sciences, philosophy, sciences
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
noun
Meaning 3
The doctrine that absolute knowledge is not possible.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: US, countable, uncountable
Topics: human-sciences, philosophy, sciences
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
noun
Meaning 4
A methodology that starts from a neutral standpoint and aims to acquire certainty through scientific or logical observation.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: US, countable, uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
5
noun
Meaning 5
Doubt or disbelief of religious doctrines.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: US, countable, uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
6
noun
Meaning 6
doubt about the truth of something
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.