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doubting

doubting

1 4.4
Feeling not sure that something is true or correct
  • adjective
  • /ˈdaʊtɪŋ/
translation icon : dudoso
  • I guess I was a doubting kind of kid.

So how do you deal with self doubting thoughts when you have them?

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Examples

  • And I'm not really the doubting kind.

    Blog text (13)
  • Of all the members of her family, her faith was weakest, her spirit the most doubting and the least bold.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • Number one, I want all doubting to cease from this point forth.

  • After hearing the contradictory arguments, she felt increasingly doubting about her initial opinion.

  • His doubting nature often made it difficult for him to trust others.

  • The doubting crowd remained silent as the speaker presented her uncertain conclusions.

Synonyms

skeptical
vsdoubting
  • US
286 4.2

Not easily believing that something is true

indicates ordinary uncertainty rather than a resistant, critical attitude
unsure
vsdoubting
89 1.5

Not confident or certain about what to do

expresses the broader lack of conviction rather than this specific doubt
uncertain
vsdoubting
43 3.9

Not feeling sure or confident

means the same doubt but focuses more on general feeling
doubtful
vsdoubting
25 3.0

Not sure about something and not ready to believe it

expresses the same uncertainty but with a slightly ongoing sense
unconvinced
vsdoubting
12 5.1

Not sure that something is true or will work

expresses general doubt rather than specifically resisting persuasion
distrustful
vsdoubting
10 5.4

Not trusting other people and doubting their honesty

expresses doubt in general, not focused specifically on other people
questioning
vsdoubting
3.9

Showing doubt or wanting to know more

focuses on uncertainty alone without the investigative curiosity

Antonyms

840 1.0

Feeling sure and having no doubt

4.1

Confident and steady in voice or movement

Compounds

A person who does not believe something without clear proof

How Certain

certain
946 1.0
confident
715 2.5
skeptical
  • US
286 4.2
doubting
1 4.4
unsure
89 1.5

Surface Forms

doubting positive

Morphology

doubting = doubt (transparent) = doubt + ing

A straightforward present-participle/gerund formation from the verb 'doubt' yielding an adjectival sense; learners who know 'doubt' can derive the meaning.

Etymology

Doubting comes from an old idea of being 'two' or 'of two minds', so a simple way to remember it is to think of double, which means two. So, to doubt is to have 'two minds' about something, and that is why doubting means feeling 'not certain'.