doubting

1. gerundparticiplepresentpresent participle and gerund of doubt

plural doubtings

1. A condition of doubt.

   Black is night's cope; But death will not appal One who, past doubtings all Waits in unhope.

   1902, Thomas Hardy, In Tenebris I

   2 more examples

   A believer may be sometimes so overwhelmed with doubtings, that he may not be able to perceive an assurance in himself.

   1811, Walter Marshall, The Gospel-mystery of Sanctification Opened, page 156

   He had prepared such a fine pedestal for her, draped her in so many beautiful illusions. But if she was an elf, there was no keeping an elf on a pedestal. No sooner had he arranged her there nicely, than off she flopped in her elfish way, scattering the illusions he had attached to her, as it were, a Salome shedding her seven veils. So he fluttered between his beliefs and doubtings.

   [1921?], John Cournos, “Circe”, in The Wall, London: Methuen & Co. Ltd.; New York, N.Y.: George H[enry] Doran Company, →OCLC, chapter VIII, section I, page 207

comparative more doubting · superlative most doubting

1. Full of doubt; dubious.

   Had Keir been told two years ago that he would be involved in all these domesticities, he would have been more doubting than a doubting Thomas.

   1932, George Warwick Deeping, Smith

   2 more examples

   Indeed, had not I appeared to the world with all possible demonstrations of authority and truth, teaching men a most holy and undeniable doctrine, sufficient to reform their manners and amend their lives, and moreover demonstrating my divine commission, by such proofs as ought to satisfy and convince the most doubting and suspicious minds; they might have had some plea and excuse of ignorance for their unbelief;

   1814, Paul Wright, A Complete Life of Our Blessed Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, page 226

   Critics, as the name clearly suggests, are very doubting of brand and firm behaviour, yet they appear to be more focused on being critical than on actually acting on their opinions.

   2011, Guy Champniss, Fernando Rodes Vila, Brand Valued, page 42