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Glite Dictionary
to cast doubt

to cast doubt

17 4.6
Make people feel unsure if something is true
  • phrasal verb
translation icon : poner en duda
  • Recent events have cast doubt on the reliability of the information provided.
  • cast serious doubt
  • cast doubt on the existence
  • cast doubt on its ability

Intel is casting doubt on all controlled testing here.

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Examples

  • Now, in one simple statement, Paul had cast doubt on their entire future together.

    Fiction book (1997)

  • Or do you wish to continue to cast doubt on its fine heritage, hmm?

    Lost at Christmas (2020)

  • I will not have anyone cast doubt on the honor of my...

    Anna Karenina (1997)

  • So he says this should actually cast doubt on its truth, the fact that it seems so obvious to us.

  • New emails have cast doubts on her assertions.

    Sven (2024)

  • The controversy also cast substantial doubt on his ability to be reelected in 1994.

    Academic text (1994)

  • The historical evidence casts doubt on the Court's current interpretation of the Free Exercise Clause.

    Academic text (1997)

  • Kevin Hassett cast doubt on an employment report that Donald Trump cheered.

    Meet Kevin

  • The recent Mexican experience casts doubt on the validity of these assumptions.

    Academic text (1996)

  • Additionally, similarities between Chinese and North Korean missiles also cast doubt on Pyongyang's claims to rocket innovation.

    Academic text (2001)

Synonyms

to impugn
vsto cast doubt
  • Formal
20 8.1

To say that someone's words are not honest or true

creates uncertainty rather than formally attacking truth or honesty
to undermine credibility
vsto cast doubt
8 6.6

Make people trust someone or something less

damages trust more deeply and long term rather than only causing uncertainty
to raise suspicion
vsto cast doubt
7 4.6

Make people doubt someone or something

is broader, causing general uncertainty rather than focused mistrust
to cast a shadow
vsto cast doubt
4 6.2

Make a person, event, or situation seem less happy and less hopeful

directly causes people to question truth rather than only creating a gloomy feeling
to plant a seed of doubt
vsto cast doubt
  • Informal
1 5.9

To make someone begin to feel unsure about something

causes direct, obvious uncertainty rather than a quiet growing one
to leave room for doubt
vsto cast doubt
1 6.5

Make something not completely certain or convincing

actively causes people to question truth rather than merely allowing possibility

Antonyms

to validate
  • Formal
87 3.9

To make something officially acceptable by showing proof

to bolster confidence
1 4.0

To make someone feel more sure of themselves

How Doubtful

to discredit
66 6.3
to undermine
270 6.8
to cast doubt
17 4.6
to question
777 3.5
to voice concern
  • Formal
7 3.9

Surface Forms

cast doubt infinitive
cast doubt past
cast doubt past participle
casting doubt present participle
casts doubt third person singular

Morphology

cast + doubt

The meaning 'to cause uncertainty' is directly inferable from combining 'cast' (to throw/project) with 'doubt' (a feeling of uncertainty) — essentially 'to throw or project doubt onto something.' This is a common, regular metaphorical composition in English (e.g., 'cast a shadow', 'cast suspicion') and is likely predictable to a B1 learner who knows both constituents.

Etymology

Cast doubt comes from an old use of cast meaning 'to throw'; imagine throwing a shadow or cloud over a fact so you cannot see it clearly and feel doubt. So, cast doubt means 'to make people uncertain' or 'to suggest something may not be true'.