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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in questionable
giving good reason for being doubted, questioned, or challenged
the election results were highly doubtful, so an investigation was begun
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in unlikely
not likely to be true or to occur
our winning the championship increasingly looks like a doubtful outcome
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in disputable
open to question or dispute
a doubtful claim to the property
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Initially doubtful of her claim to survivor status, she’s emboldened by her female friends to speak openly of her experience, which in turn becomes the cause célèbre that carries the entire movement.
—
Guy Lodge, Variety, 17 May 2025
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
Luis Suarez had to go out of town for personal reasons and is doubtful for the Inter Miami game on the road Saturday against Minnesota United.
Miami coach Javier Mascherano did not share details about Suarez’s situation and did not say when he was expected to rejoin the team.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for doubtful
Guy Lodge, Variety, 17 May 2025
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
Luis Suarez had to go out of town for personal reasons and is doubtful for the Inter Miami game on the road Saturday against Minnesota United.
Miami coach Javier Mascherano did not share details about Suarez’s situation and did not say when he was expected to rejoin the team.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for doubtful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for doubtful
Adjective
-
The outfit is unsure about the root cause of the problem and has launched an investigation to prevent a similar incident.—
Saajan Jogia,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 June 2025
-
For creators who’ve built something significant but are unsure how to grow further, or who are simply ready for a change, now may be a smart time to explore a sale.—
Ian Shepherd,
Forbes.com,
28 June 2025
Adjective
-
Credits are issued by independent registries but the market has faced criticism for inconsistent standards, greenwashing, and questionable impact.—
Dianne Plummer,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2025
-
Chisholm followed that free pass with a questionable sac bunt for the first out of the inning.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
1 July 2025
Adjective
-
But his approach is unlikely to foster either emotion.—
KORI SCHAKE,
Foreign Affairs,
24 June 2025
-
Despite rapid advances in AI tools, experts say the technology is unlikely to transform the film and TV industry overnight due to rising production costs fueled by streaming wars.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
24 June 2025
Adjective
-
Some employees are skeptical of the AI, especially following a Bloomberg report in January that predicted up to 200,000 jobs on Wall Street could be at risk within five years due to technologies like AI.—
Chris Morris,
Fortune,
24 June 2025
-
But some, including former Charlotte Mayor Pro Tem Braxton Winston, remain skeptical about whether the current bill will lay the groundwork for a successful regional system.—
Mary Ramsey,
Charlotte Observer,
23 June 2025
Adjective
-
But the mark also represented Hackman's inability to turn down dubious projects.—
Alexis Simmerman,
Austin American Statesman,
2 July 2025
-
Connecticut now holds the dubious distinction of having the worst regulatory environment in the country, with unaffordable electric bills and toxic relations between PURA and utility companies.—
Edmund H. Mahony,
Hartford Courant,
30 June 2025
Adjective
-
While the films’ impact on government policy and/or public opinion is debatable, movies large and small have been at the forefront of some of the 21st century’s most difficult conversations.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
25 June 2025
-
How much coffee per day leads to healthy aging is debatable.—
Renée Onque,
CNBC,
20 June 2025
Adjective
-
Meanwhile, security teams must expand visibility with tools that monitor AI use, flag suspicious behavior and inventory every AI-enabled app.—
Jason Vest,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
-
Why else, the night Mrs. Palit invited us to dinner, did my eyes fall on suspicious dark objects, not much larger than prominent flecks of salt, in the dal?—
Jhumpa Lahiri,
New Yorker,
30 June 2025
Adjective
-
Overall, the challenges highlighted by business leaders included uncertain economic conditions (55 percent), tariffs (41 percent), and revenue and sales growth (41 percent).—
Hugh Cameron,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 June 2025
-
Now in private practice as co-head of Morrison Foerster’s Securities + Derivatives Regulatory Solutions team and a partner in the firm’s Capital Markets and Broker-Dealer Compliance + Regulation practice groups, Dahiya is in a unique position to help clients navigate complex and uncertain terrain.—
Liane Jackson,
Forbes.com,
25 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Doubtful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/doubtful. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share