doubted; doubting; doubts
1
: to call into question the truth of : to be uncertain or in doubt about
He doubts everyone's word.
2
a
: to lack confidence in : distrust
… find myself doubting him even when I know that he is honest …—
H. L. Mencken
H. L. Mencken
b
: to consider unlikely
I doubt if I can go.
: to be uncertain
plural doubts
1
a
: a lack of confidence : distrust
has doubts about his abilities
b
: an inclination not to believe or accept
a claim met with doubt
2
a
: uncertainty of belief or opinion that often interferes with decision-making
b
: a deliberate suspension of judgment
3
: a state of affairs giving rise to uncertainty, hesitation, or suspense
The outcome is still in doubt.
Examples of doubt in a Sentence
Verb
I have always doubted the existence of life on other planets.
No one doubts that the mission will be a success.
I seriously doubt my parents will let me go.
“Do you think you can come tonight?” “I doubt it.”
She doubted his ability to succeed.
He said he could do it, but I couldn't help doubting him.
Noun
I still have moments of doubt.
There can be little doubt that smoking is bad for your health.
I had a nagging doubt in the back of my mind.
Recent Examples on the Web
Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Oct. 2025
Experts also doubt that even substantial imports from Argentina would be able to address domestic supply issues or meaningfully lower record-high beef prices.
—Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
Chase Goodbread, The Tuscaloosa News, 29 Oct. 2025
But what has raised Democrats' eyebrows is that Grossbard was a plaintiff in a 2020 lawsuit against state and various county officials, alleging there was enough evidence to place that year's election results into doubt.
—Lily Altavena, Freep.com, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for doubt
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Verb
In the end, due to jurors doubting Natale's testimony, Merlino was acquitted of the murder charges.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Oct. 2025
Experts also doubt that even substantial imports from Argentina would be able to address domestic supply issues or meaningfully lower record-high beef prices.
—Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
Noun
Eli Drinkwitz has done more with less at Mizzou, and there's little doubt he'll be targeted in this boiling kettle of a market.
—Chase Goodbread, The Tuscaloosa News, 29 Oct. 2025
But what has raised Democrats' eyebrows is that Grossbard was a plaintiff in a 2020 lawsuit against state and various county officials, alleging there was enough evidence to place that year's election results into doubt.
—Lily Altavena, Freep.com, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for doubt
Cite this Entry
“Doubt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/doubt. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
doubt
2 of 2 noun1
: uncertainty of belief or opinion
2
: the state of being uncertain
the outcome is in doubt
3
a
: a lack of confidence
b
: an inclination not to believe or accept
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