doubting Thomas
2
7.5
- noun
- /ˈdaʊtɪŋ ˈtɑːməs/
:
incrédulo
- When it comes to new technology, my friend is a doubting Thomas, insisting on testing it himself before believing in its benefits.
Examples
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Do not think me a doubting Thomas.
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I'm not a doubting Thomas, but I would like a sign of hope to come from Washington.
Blog text (3) -
One rule ofjournalism is to be a doubting Thomas.
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On all other things I concur, but on the FEMA camps consider me a doubting Thomas to date.
Blog text (9) -
As a scientist, she considers herself a doubting Thomas because she always seeks solid evidence before drawing conclusions.
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In discussions about climate change, he often takes the role of a doubting Thomas, demanding substantial proof for any claims made.
Synonyms
77
4.1
A person who often doubts accepted ideas and asks for proof
19
4.2
A person who does not believe something is true or is unsure about it
A person who doubts that we can know anything for certain
Antonyms
343
3.2
A person who accepts something as true and often supports it, for example a religion or idea
How Trusting
Surface Forms
Morphology
The adjective 'doubting' clearly conveys skepticism and, when combined with a personal name, a B1 learner can infer it refers to 'a person who doubts.' However, the expression's conventionalized meaning relies on a cultural/biblical reference to the Apostle Thomas and functions as a fixed epithet, so the precise idiomatic usage is not fully predictable from the parts alone.
Etymology
Doubting Thomas comes from a Bible story about the follower Thomas, who would not 'believe' Jesus had come back to life until he could touch Jesus' wounds. So, a doubting Thomas today is someone who needs direct proof before they 'believe' something.