FISHY Synonyms: 48 Similar and Opposite Words

fishy

adjective

ˈfi-shē

Definition of fishy

as in questionable

giving good reason for being doubted, questioned, or challenged something's fishy about the way he's acting

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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 fishy Yep, its flowers smell overwhelmingly fishy. — Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 16 June 2026 There’s no strange aftertaste, no fishy flavor, and no texture issues. — Rita Templeton, Flow Space, 15 June 2026 Avoid any scallops that smell fishy, sour, or sulfur-like—fresh scallops should have a briny or mildly sweet seaweed aroma, Comeau says. — Heather Riske, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 June 2026 Check for a Fresh, Mild Scent Fresh, high-quality fish shouldn’t smell overly fishy. — Jillian Kubala, Health, 5 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for fishy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fishy

Adjective

Stokes was off the injury report as of Monday, and Salaün was listed as questionable but looked to be a full participant in practice on Monday morning.

— Christian Babcock, Mercury News, 18 Aug. 2026
Forcing fans to cover XX-XY shirts wasn't merely a questionable judgment call.

— Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of questionable

Adjective

That’s mainly because of financial interests and outdated regulations, experts told STAT, which has now left holes in the IRB system where science that is both legally compliant and ethically dubious can proceed.

— Angus Chen, STAT, 11 Aug. 2026
Over time, as players bluff, bargain, and make increasingly dubious trades, trust starts to erode, more and more adverse selection happens — and the game descends into a kind of joyful chaos.

— Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of dubious

Adjective

Maybe someone noticed a person acting suspicious, heard a fight, saw someone leaving the area or remembers a detail that seemed insignificant at the time.

— Simcha Itzkowitz, New York Daily News, 12 Aug. 2026
CyberGuy's guide to protecting yourself from social media scammers includes more ways to evaluate suspicious accounts.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of suspicious

Adjective

However, disputable refereeing decisions, especially in the matches against Italy and Spain, led to allegations that South Korea may have benefited from favorable officiating.

— Andrew Pereira, Encyclopedia Britannica, 18 June 2026
Speech — Intimidation as censorship The First Amendment protects disputable speech, not agreeable.

— Brielle Miller, Baltimore Sun, 9 Mar. 2026

Definition of disputable

Adjective

So far, none of those efforts has been successful, and opponents say hunting would do little to address the most problematic bears that tend to live closer to residential neighborhoods.

— John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 14 Aug. 2026
Differences in ages between adults aren’t inherently problematic, but one’s experiences in life can change dramatically between 18 and 23.

— R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of problematic

Adjective

For now, the yen's strength is still holding up, but analysts are doubtful it can be sustained.

— Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 4 Aug. 2026
As for other returnees to Basic Instinct, Eszterhas was doubtful that Paul Verhoeven would return to direct, but expressed his hope that the filmmaker would come aboard.

— Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 14 July 2026

Definition of doubtful

Browse Nearby Words

fishwifes

fishy

fissure

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“Fishy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fishy. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of fishy

adjective

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