doubting Thomas

noun

1. a person who refuses to believe without proof; skeptic: in reference to the apostle Thomas.

doubting Thomas

noun

1. a person who insists on proof before he will believe anything; sceptic

Word History and Origins

Origin of doubting Thomas¹

after Thomas (the apostle), who did not believe that Jesus had been resurrected until he had proof

Idioms and Phrases

One who is habitually doubtful. For example, He was a doubting Thomas about the coming merger, not believing it would ever happen . The term alludes to the disciple Thomas, who doubted Jesus's resurrection until he had first-hand evidence of it (John 20:24–29).

Example Sentences

I was always in this matter graded in the "doubting Thomas" class.

From Project Gutenberg