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Disbelief vs Skeptical - What's the difference?

disbelief | skeptical |

As a noun disbelief

is unpreparedness, unwillingness, or inability to believe that something is the case.

As an adjective skeptical is

having, or expressing doubt; questioning.

disbelief

English

Noun

  • Unpreparedness, unwillingness, or inability to believe that something is the case.
    • She cried out in disbelief on hearing that terrorists had crashed an airplane into the World Trade Center in New York City.
  • Astonishment.
    • I stared in disbelief at the Grand Canyon.
  • The loss or abandonment of a belief; cessation of belief.
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    • Synonyms

    * incredulity

    Related terms

    * * * disbelieve

    References

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    skeptical

    English

    Alternative forms

    * sceptical (British English)

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Having, or expressing doubt; questioning.
  • * {{quote-magazine, year=2012, month=March-April
    • , author=Colin Allen , title=Do I See What You See? , volume=100, issue=2, page=168 , magazine=(American Scientist) citation , passage=Numerous experimental tests and other observations have been offered in favor of animal mind reading, and although many scientists are skeptical , others assert that humans are not the only species capable of representing what others do and don’t perceive and know.}}
    My teacher was skeptical when I told her my dog ate my homework.
    I can see why people are so skeptical [sic] about him, but I think he's on to something here. (regarded by organizations such as the BBC as an error)
  • Of or relating to skepticism or the skeptics.