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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective questionable contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of questionable are doubtful, dubious, and problematic. While all these words mean "not affording assurance of the worth, soundness, or certainty of something," questionable may imply no more than the existence of doubt but usually suggests that the suspicions are well-grounded.

a man of questionable honesty

Where would doubtful be a reasonable alternative to questionable?

The words doubtful and questionable can be used in similar contexts, but doubtful implies little more than a lack of conviction or certainty.

doubtful about whether I said the right thing

In what contexts can dubious take the place of questionable?

While the synonyms dubious and questionable are close in meaning, dubious stresses suspicion, mistrust, or hesitation.

dubious about the practicality of the scheme

When is it sensible to use problematic instead of questionable?

The synonyms problematic and questionable are sometimes interchangeable, but problematic applies especially to things whose existence, meaning, fulfillment, or realization is highly uncertain.

whether the project will ever be finished is problematic

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 questionable Not to mention financially questionable, when solar and wind are cheaper. Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2025 Korda is a man of the world, questionable in his business practices and constantly in pursuit of money and power, so obviously the character needed a home worthy of his grandiosity. Rachel Wallace, Architectural Digest, 21 May 2025 Anytime a child dies under suspicious or questionable circumstances, there must be an investigation. The Denver Post Editorial Board, Denver Post, 21 May 2025 Unlike the questionable trend of smothering one’s face with beef tallow, butter skin doesn’t require you to dip into actual animal fat. Sophia Panych, Allure, 20 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for questionable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for questionable
Adjective
  • Sakara also has health supplements (which can be scientifically dubious), like a metabolism booster and fulvic acid cell reset.
    Molly Higgins, Wired News, 29 May 2025
  • Republican consultant Kevin Madden, who was a senior adviser to Mitt Romney’s presidential campaigns in 2008 and 2012, was dubious about her chances in either race.
    Michael R. Blood, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 2025
Adjective
  • Ultimately, though, the Trump ally argued there was unlikely to be a single new face of DOGE.
    Alex Gangitano, The Hill, 31 May 2025
  • Of course, that would require the player to waive his no-movement clause, and TSN’s Darren Dreger reported this week that Marner’s camp views it as an unlikely option unless a perfect scenario presents itself.
    Chris Johnston, New York Times, 30 May 2025
Adjective
  • Leo: Miranda Hobbes Miranda’s birthdate is debatable.
    Lisa Stardust, People.com, 28 May 2025
  • Whether or not Jones would have wanted his character to feature in Fortnite is debatable, but strangely enough, Disney’s Star Wars has inspired similar debates in the past.
    Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
Adjective
  • Allen set a course record in the victory and sent a postcard to her doubtful doctor afterward.
    Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 25 May 2025
  • The marathon meeting came and went as House Republican leaders are looking to get the Trump agenda bill through the chamber by Memorial Day, an ambitious timeline that some lawmakers are doubtful of.
    Mike Lillis, The Hill, 14 May 2025
Adjective
  • The comment was in answer to how Friends, in its second resurgence in the streaming era, was receiving some criticism for some of its problematic elements, i.e. the lack of diversity, homophobia, sexism, etc.
    Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 7 June 2025
  • Some lawns are just too big for a bot to handle, and even smaller lawns present more problematic terrain than a carpeted floor.
    John Mihaly, PC Magazine, 6 June 2025
Adjective
  • The data linking water fluoridation to low IQ is controversial.
    Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 30 May 2025
  • His ascension was controversial, with some federal lawmakers questioning the legitimacy of his claims to the presidency.
    Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 May 2025
Adjective
  • Quiet Skies was revealed in 2018 by The Boston Globe, which said the program deployed air marshals, who fly armed and undercover to thwart terrorists, to track dozens of suspicious travelers daily.
    Josh Meyer, USA Today, 6 June 2025
  • Most of the calls were for more minor problems, such as trespassing and suspicious people, but three were related to battery, one for reported gunshots, another for an armed disturbance and one for a wanted person, the records show.
    Cristóbal Reyes, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Questionable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/questionable. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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