# skepticism

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈskɛp.tɪˌsɪ.zəm/ · frequency rank #17,244

## Definitions
1. The practice or philosophy of being a skeptic.
2. A studied attitude of questioning and doubt.
3. The doctrine that absolute knowledge is not possible.
4. A methodology that starts from a neutral standpoint and aims to acquire certainty through scientific or logical observation.
5. Doubt or disbelief of religious doctrines.

## Etymology
From New Latin scepticismus; equivalent to skeptic + -ism.

## Easily confused with
- **scepticism** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/scepticism-vs-skepticism)

## Common misspellings (16)
`ksepticism`, `sekpticism`, `skepitcism`, `skeppticism`, `skeptciism`, `skepticcism`, `skepticims`, `skepticismm`, `skepticissm`, `skepticsim`, `skeptiicsm`, `skeptticism`, `sketpicism`, `skkepticism`, `skpeticism`, `sskepticism`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/skepticism