Doubt Meaning
Doubt Definition & Usage
A state of being unsure or uncertain about something, often leading to hesitation or indecision.
Examples
- "She had doubts about moving to a new city."
- "His doubt regarding the project made everyone feel uneasy."
- "There's no room for doubt in this decision; we need to move forward."
- "After hearing both sides, I still had doubts about the truth of the story."
- "His doubts about her sincerity grew over time."
To question the truth or reliability of something or someone, often leading to skepticism or a need for further investigation.
Examples
- "She doubted his intentions from the very start."
- "I doubt that we will make the deadline without more help."
- "They doubted the results of the experiment after the anomaly was discovered."
- "He doubted whether he had made the right decision in leaving his job."
- "Don't doubt your ability to succeed in this project."
Cultural Context
Doubt, as a psychological and philosophical concept, has been explored deeply in both Western and Eastern traditions. In philosophy, it is often associated with skepticism and the questioning of knowledge. In everyday language, it often carries a sense of uncertainty or hesitation, particularly in the face of crucial decisions.
The Edge of Certainty
Story
The Edge of Certainty
In a small town nestled between rolling hills, there lived a young woman named Clara who had always prided herself on making quick, confident decisions. Yet, today was different. The letter she held in her hands seemed to weigh a ton, and the words inside were more than just an offer for a new job in the city—they were a crossroads in her life. Clara had long dreamed of a career in the city, but now, as she stared at the letter, a deep sense of doubt began to creep into her mind. It wasn't the job itself. It was the unknown—what if the city life wasn’t what she expected? What if the fast-paced environment swallowed her up? What if she failed? Her mind raced with a thousand questions, each more unsettling than the last. She couldn't help but doubt her ability to thrive in a new, unfamiliar place. Sitting at the kitchen table, Clara tried to talk herself out of it. 'You’ve always wanted this,' she muttered to herself. But the voice of doubt persisted. She doubted whether she was ready to leave behind everything she knew: her friends, her family, her routine. That afternoon, Clara met her best friend Ella for coffee. As she poured out her concerns, Ella listened carefully. 'Clara, doubt is normal. But you can't let it paralyze you,' Ella said. 'Doubt is like a shadow—it follows us, but it doesn’t have to control us. You’re capable of more than you realize.' Clara smiled faintly, feeling the warmth of Ella’s encouragement. But as she left the café, the doubt didn’t disappear. It still lingered, a quiet presence at the back of her mind. Yet, she knew Ella was right. Doubt wasn’t something to run from; it was something to acknowledge and move through. The next day, Clara made the call. She accepted the job offer, still uncertain but determined. As she hung up the phone, the doubt was still there, but now it was just a small part of her. With every step forward, Clara realized that doubt was not the enemy—it was a guide, pushing her to consider all angles before making a decision. And that was something worth embracing.
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