doubt
doubt
Pronunciation
doubt /daʊt/
First Syllable:
/d/ - voiced alveolar plosive
/aʊ/ - diphthong (as in "now" or "out")
/t/ - voiceless alveolar plosive
Word Form Variations
Noun:
Singular: doubt
Plural: doubts
Verb:
Base form: doubt
Third-person singular present: doubts
Present participle: doubting
Past tense: doubted
Past participle: doubted
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
A feeling of uncertainty or lack of conviction about something.
Synonyms: uncertainty, skepticism, misgiving, apprehension, distrust
Antonyms: certainty, conviction, assurance, belief, confidence
Example: She expressed her doubt about the viability of the project.
A state of being undecided or hesitant, often leading to inaction.
Synonyms: indecision, hesitation, wavering, irresolution
Antonyms: resolve, determination, decision, commitment
Example: His persistent doubt prevented him from making a clear choice.
Verb
To feel uncertain about; to question the truth or validity of something.
Synonyms: question, mistrust, distrust, suspect, dispute
Antonyms: believe, trust, accept, affirm, confirm
Example: I doubt whether he will arrive on time.
To be inclined to disbelieve; to consider unlikely.
Synonyms: disbelieve, discredit, reject, dismiss
Antonyms: credit, accept, concede, grant
Example: She never doubts his intentions, even when others do.
Examples of Use
Books:
"He saw a flash of doubt in her eyes, quickly masked." (From The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson, 2005)
"Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time." - This often quoted sentiment from Thomas Edison speaks to overcoming doubt and perseverance.
Newspapers:
"Economists express doubt over the latest inflation figures, citing concerns about rising energy prices." (From The Wall Street Journal)
"There's no doubt that the new environmental regulations will face strong opposition from certain industries." (The Guardian)
Online Publications:
"The recent surge in AI development has led to some public doubt about job security in various sectors." (From an article on Wired.com)
"Critics doubt the efficacy of the new social media algorithm in curbing misinformation." (From an analysis on TechCrunch)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: In the movie 12 Angry Men (1957), the entire plot revolves around reasonable doubt in a jury's deliberation.
Television Series: A character in Succession might express doubt about a rival's loyalty, saying, "I have my doubts about Tom's commitment to the new venture." (HBO, various episodes)
Music: The song "No Doubt" by the band No Doubt implies a strong sense of certainty or conviction.
Podcasts: "On today's episode, we explore the origins of our innate human tendency to doubt what we don't understand." (From a popular science podcast)
General Public Discourse:
"I seriously doubt they'll finish the construction on time, given the current delays." (Heard in a casual conversation)
"There's no doubt about it; that was an incredible performance by the athlete." (Comment after a sports event)
"When faced with a difficult decision, it's natural to feel some doubt." (Advice given in a self-help discussion)
10 Quotes Using Doubt
"When in doubt, tell the truth." (Mark Twain)
"The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today." (Franklin D. Roosevelt)
"Where there is doubt, there is freedom." (Seneca the Younger)
"Our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we oft might win, by fearing to attempt." (William Shakespeare, Measure for Measure)
"If you have no doubts, you are not an explorer." (Thor Heyerdahl)
"Believe those who are seeking the truth. Doubt those who find it." (André Gide)
"The way to success is to stop doubting and start doing." (Unknown)
"When you doubt your power, you give power to your doubt." (Honoré de Balzac)
"The wise man doubts often, and changes his mind." (Chinese Proverb)
"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts." (Bertrand Russell)
Etymology
The word "doubt" has a fascinating history! It actually comes from the Latin word "dubitāre," which means "to waver," "to hesitate," or "to be uncertain." This Latin root itself seems to be linked to "dubius," meaning "dubious" or "uncertain," and ultimately to "duo," meaning "two." So, at its very core, "doubt" suggests being "of two minds" or facing a choice between two possibilities.
When the word entered English, largely through Old French ("douter" or "doter"), it initially carried a broader meaning. In Middle English, around the 12th century, "douten" could mean "to dread," "to fear," or "to be afraid," as well as "to be uncertain." So, its first known uses in English included a strong sense of apprehension or fear, in addition to the uncertainty we commonly associate with it today.
Interestingly, you might notice the silent "b" in "doubt." This "b" was actually added later, between the 14th and 16th centuries, by scribes who wanted the English spelling to more closely resemble its original Latin root, "dubitāre." The French also did this for a while but eventually dropped the "b" in the 17th century, while English kept it, making it one of those quirky silent letters in our language!
Phrases + Idioms Containing Doubt
Beyond a shadow of a doubt: Absolutely certain; without any possibility of being wrong.
No doubt: Certainly; without question.
When in doubt, do nothing: A saying suggesting caution and inaction when unsure.
Give someone the benefit of the doubt: To believe someone's statement or intentions, even if there is a reason to be suspicious.
A nagging doubt: A persistent and unsettling feeling of uncertainty.
In doubt: Uncertain; unsure.
To cast doubt on something: To cause something to seem uncertain or unreliable.
To remove all doubt: To make something absolutely clear or certain.
To harbour doubts: To secretly hold reservations or suspicions.
Reasonable doubt: The standard of proof required in most criminal cases, meaning an uncertain state of mind for the jury regarding guilt.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of doubt from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
