doubtful

adjective

ˈdau̇t-fəl How to pronounce doubtful (audio)
Definition of doubtfulnext
1
as in unsure
not feeling sure about the truth, wisdom, or trustworthiness of someone or something he was doubtful about the decision to complete the project despite its mounting problems

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2
as in questionable
giving good reason for being doubted, questioned, or challenged the election results were highly doubtful, so an investigation was begun

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3
as in unlikely
not likely to be true or to occur our winning the championship increasingly looks like a doubtful outcome

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4
as in disputable
open to question or dispute a doubtful claim to the property

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective doubtful contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of doubtful are dubious, problematic, and questionable. While all these words mean "not affording assurance of the worth, soundness, or certainty of something," doubtful implies little more than a lack of conviction or certainty.

doubtful about whether I said the right thing

When is dubious a more appropriate choice than doubtful?

The words dubious and doubtful are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, dubious stresses suspicion, mistrust, or hesitation.

dubious about the practicality of the scheme

When is it sensible to use problematic instead of doubtful?

While the synonyms problematic and doubtful are close in meaning, problematic applies especially to things whose existence, meaning, fulfillment, or realization is highly uncertain.

whether the project will ever be finished is problematic

When would questionable be a good substitute for doubtful?

While in some cases nearly identical to doubtful, questionable may imply no more than the existence of doubt but usually suggests that the suspicions are well-grounded.

a man of questionable honesty

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of doubtful Powell, who has missed Dallas’ last 14 games with a right hip strain, is officially listed as doubtful. —Christian Clark, The Athletic, 21 Feb. 2025 Cunningham, meanwhile, was doubtful to suit up through a left calf contusion. —Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2025 One day after being listed as doubtful for Wednesday’s game against the Phoenix Suns with a left ankle sprain, Tatum was upgraded to questionable. —Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 26 Mar. 2025 Davis is now listed as doubtful rather than being ruled out entirely. —Kevin Sabet, Newsweek, 23 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for doubtful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for doubtful
  1. unsure
  2. questionable
  3. unlikely
  4. skeptical
  5. dubious
  6. debatable
  7. suspicious
  8. uncertain
Adjective
  • Overall, researchers are unsure why diabetes increases the risk of ADHD and other neurodevelopmental conditions.
    — Sherri Gordon, Parents, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Approximately 26 percent of individuals surveyed were unsure.
    — Filip Timotija, The Hill, 16 Apr. 2025
Definition of unsure
Adjective
  • Wiggins was listed as questionable on the injury report before being upgraded to available.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2025
  • But one thing’s for sure: if trouble runs on espresso martinis and questionable decisions, this crew has already paid the tab.
    — Shelby Stewart, Essence, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of questionable
Adjective
  • That means consumers and businesses are unlikely to see any relief on loan rates in the near term, although economists are penciling in cuts later in the year, with the majority forecasting a reduction at the Fed's June 18 meeting.
    — Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2025
  • With a Labour government entrenched until at least 2029, that’s unlikely to happen anytime, but the big brands are also big planners, and always thinking about the success of the next generation.
    — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of unlikely
Adjective
  • Buffalo also had an inspiring end to the season two years ago, and that’s what has made fans skeptical that this late-season run means much.
    — Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
  • But people remain skeptical, and some commentary isn't helping.
    — Susan Tompor, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of skeptical
Adjective
  • Doctors prescribe it to ease symptoms of testosterone deficiency — among them weight gain, muscle loss and depression — but dubious clinics also sell the therapy as a cure-all for a crisis of masculinity.
    — The New York Times, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025
  • In his second term, the president has fewer people around him who try to keep dubious sources away.
    — Michael D. Shear, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of dubious
Adjective
  • What’s less debatable is that CNN reporter Donie O’Sullivan believed that Lorenz provided valuable perspective.
    — Noah Rothman, National Review, 14 Apr. 2025
  • What’s not debatable is that the workload used to be far higher.
    — Bruce Schoenfeld Robert Fass Tanya Pérez Brian St. Pierre, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025
Definition of debatable
Adjective
  • However, police did not treat Griffin's death as suspicious.
    — Michael Nied, People.com, 18 Apr. 2025
  • So when head vampire Remmick (Jack O'Connell) and his two recent white recruits originally show up, Smoke and Stack are suspicious enough of their motives to turn them away.
    — Megan McCluskey, Time, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of suspicious
Adjective
  • The franc stood at $1.22, raising questions about the dollar's role as a traditional safe haven during uncertain times.
    — Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Exact timing and locations of these storms remain uncertain at this time, according to the NWS.
    — Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Apr. 2025
Definition of uncertain

Browse Nearby Words

doubters
doubtful
doubtfully
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Cite this Entry

“Doubtful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/doubtful. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

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