Unconvinced: meaning, definitions and examples

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unconvinced

 

[ˌʌnkənˈvɪnst ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

feeling doubtful

Not certain about the truth or validity of something; skeptical or hesitant.

Synonyms

doubtful, hesitant, skeptical, unsure.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
unconvinced

This word is used when someone does not believe or is not persuaded by a certain idea or argument.

  • She remained unconvinced by his explanation.
  • I'm still unconvinced that this plan will work.
skeptical

Applied when someone has doubts or questions the truth or validity of something, often used in a context where skepticism is based on reason or evidence.

  • The scientist was skeptical about the new theory.
  • People were skeptical about the politician's promises.
doubtful

Used when someone feels uncertain or lacks confidence in something. It often implies that the outcome is not likely or is questionable.

  • He is doubtful about the success of the project.
  • I am doubtful that it will rain today.
hesitant

This word is used when someone is unsure and pauses or delays because of uncertainty or indecision.

  • She was hesitant to make the final decision.
  • He took a hesitant step forward.
unsure

Used when someone does not feel confident or certain about something. It describes a general state of uncertainty.

  • I'm unsure what to do next.
  • She felt unsure about attending the event alone.

Examples of usage

  • I remained unconvinced by his explanation.
  • She was unconvinced that the plan would work.
Context #2 | Adjective

lacking belief or conviction

Not persuaded or convinced by something; having doubts or reservations.

Synonyms

disbelieving, dubious, uncertain, unpersuaded.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
unconvinced

Use when someone has not been persuaded by an argument or evidence.

  • She remained unconvinced by his explanation
  • He was unconvinced about the benefits of the new policy
unpersuaded

Use when someone has not been convinced to change their mind or opinion.

  • Despite their efforts, she remained unpersuaded
  • He was unpersuaded by the marketing campaign
dubious

Use when someone has doubts or is suspicious about something. Often implies a skeptical or uncertain attitude.

  • He was dubious about the company's claims
  • She had a dubious expression on her face
uncertain

Use when someone lacks confidence or is unsure about something.

  • She felt uncertain about the future
  • He was uncertain whether to take the job
disbelieving

Use when someone refuses to accept something as true.

  • She gave him a disbelieving look
  • His disbelieving attitude made the discussion difficult

Examples of usage

  • The audience seemed unconvinced by the speaker's arguments.
  • He appeared unconvinced of the benefits of the new policy.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The prefix 'un-' means not, so 'unconvinced' literally means not convinced.
  • The root word 'convinced' comes from the Latin 'convincere', which means to overcome or overcome someone's doubts.
  • The term has been used in English since the late 16th century, showing that skepticism is not a new concept.

Psychology

  • Feeling unconvinced can be a natural part of critical thinking, where one evaluates information before accepting it.
  • Cognitive dissonance often arises when new information conflicts with existing beliefs, resulting in feelings of being unconvinced.
  • Studies show that people tend to remain unconvinced by arguments that challenge their deeply held beliefs, illustrating the strength of personal biases.

Pop Culture

  • In movies and TV shows, characters often express being unconvinced by someone's story, leading to plot twists or deeper investigations.
  • Comedians often play with the idea of being unconvinced, using humor to highlight absurd claims or conspiracy theories.
  • Social media has amplified voices of the unconvinced, making skepticism a common theme in many online discussions.

Education

  • Teaching methods often encourage students to be unconvinced by initial answers, promoting deeper inquiry and discussion.
  • Skepticism is considered a valuable skill in scientific education, helping students analyze data critically.
  • Educators emphasize the importance of questioning information to cultivate an unconvinced mindset, leading to better analytical skills.

Translations

Translations of the word "unconvinced" in other languages:

🇵🇹 não convencido

🇮🇳 अविश्वस्त

🇩🇪 nicht überzeugt

🇮🇩 tidak yakin

🇺🇦 непереконаний

🇵🇱 nieprzekonany

🇯🇵 納得していない

🇫🇷 pas convaincu

🇪🇸 no convencido

🇹🇷 ikna olmamış

🇰🇷 확신하지 않는

🇸🇦 غير مقتنع

🇨🇿 nepřesvědčený

🇸🇰 nepresvedčený

🇨🇳 不相信的

🇸🇮 neprepričan

🇮🇸 ótrúaður

🇰🇿 сенбейтін

🇬🇪 დაუჯერებელი

🇦🇿 inanmayan

🇲🇽 no convencido

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #24,796, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.