skeptiska

Skeptiska is the Swedish adjective used to mean skeptical or doubtful. It describes a stance of doubt or inquiry toward a claim, argument, or situation, and can modify nouns referring to people, beliefs, statements, or judgments. In Swedish, adjectives inflect for number and definiteness. The base form skeptisk is used for indefinite singular nouns (en skeptisk person). The form skeptiska appears for plural nouns (skeptiska personer) and also for definite singular nouns (den skeptiska personen) as well as definite plural nouns (de skeptiska personerna). The neuter singular form is skeptiskt (ett skeptiskt beslut).

Etymology: skeptisk derives from the Greek skeptikos, via Latin scepticus, meaning someone who is inclined to examine and doubt. The modern Swedish form was established through these classical roots and established usage in science, philosophy, and everyday language.

Usage: Skeptiska is used across formal and informal contexts to indicate doubt, critical scrutiny, or reluctance to accept claims without evidence. It commonly collocates with nouns related to opinions, claims, or outcomes, such as skeptiska åsikter, skeptiska påståenden, or skeptiska röster. In phrases like vara skeptisk till något, the adjective expresses a general attitude of doubt toward a specific matter. In neutral journalistic or academic writing, skepsis can convey prudent caution rather than outright denial.

See also: Skepticism, skeptical inquiry. The term is widely understood in Swedish-language discourse to signal a cautious, evidence-based stance rather than a blanket rejection.