1
Core meaning
Feelings or reasons of uncertainty about the truth, reliability, likelihood, or wisdom of something.
Example
The inconsistent dates raised doubts about the document's authenticity.
doubts
/daʊts/ · DOWTSnoun
Feelings or reasons of uncertainty about the truth, reliability, likelihood, or wisdom of something.
Use doubts to express this relationship precisely: feelings or reasons of uncertainty about the truth, reliability, likelihood, or wisdom of something.
What doubts Really Means
The word becomes easier to use when its closely related senses are separated and compared.
2
Common noun frame
Use this noun in a complete noun phrase, adding the complement that identifies what it refers to when needed.
Example
She expressed doubts about whether the plan was feasible.
3
Analytical distinction
Choose it when this exact concept matters; a related term may describe its cause, evidence, or opposite instead.
Example
Further evidence resolved most of the reviewers' doubts.
Use doubts Naturally
Notice how the surrounding noun or clause reveals the exact shade of meaning.
The inconsistent dates raised doubts about the document's authenticity.
She expressed doubts about whether the plan was feasible.
Further evidence resolved most of the reviewers' doubts.
Precision Matters
Doubts overlaps with several common words, but each carries a different emphasis.
doubts
vs.Means feelings or reasons of uncertainty about the truth, reliability, likelihood, or wisdom of something.
skeptical
Means doubtful, questioning, or not easily convinced without sufficient evidence.
doubts
vs.Means feelings or reasons of uncertainty about the truth, reliability, likelihood, or wisdom of something.
ambivalence
Means simultaneous conflicting feelings about something.
doubts
vs.Means feelings or reasons of uncertainty about the truth, reliability, likelihood, or wisdom of something.
incontrovertible
Means impossible to deny or dispute because the evidence is decisive.
doubts
vs.Means feelings or reasons of uncertainty about the truth, reliability, likelihood, or wisdom of something.
consensus
Means general agreement within a group.
Test doubts in Context
Repeated failures made them uncertain that the finding was reliable.
1
Because the result disappeared in every replication, researchers developed serious ___ about the original finding.