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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 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
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

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Cite this Entry

“Doubtful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/doubtful. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.

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