doubtful

adjective

doubt·ful | \ˈdau̇t-fəl

Definition of doubtful

1 : giving rise to doubt or uncertainty : open to question It is doubtful that they ever knew what happened. a doubtful premise

2a : lacking a definite opinion, conviction, or determination They were doubtful about the advantages of the new system.

b : uncertain in outcome : undecided The outcome of the election remains doubtful.

3 : marked by qualities that raise doubts about worth, honesty, or validity of doubtful repute

Other Words from doubtful Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about doubtful

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Choose the Right Synonym for doubtful

doubtful, dubious, problematic, questionable 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 dubious stresses suspicion, mistrust, or hesitation. dubious about the practicality of the scheme problematic applies especially to things whose existence, meaning, fulfillment, or realization is highly uncertain. whether the project will ever be finished is problematic questionable may imply no more than the existence of doubt but usually suggests that the suspicions are well-grounded. a man of questionable honesty

Examples of doubtful in a Sentence

I tried to reassure them, but they remained doubtful. The truth of the statements was doubtful. Their decisions were based on data of doubtful accuracy.

Recent Examples on the Web

Golden State Warriors forward Andre Iguodala is doubtful to play in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals against the Houston Rockets with knee soreness, The Athletic's Anthony Slater reports. — Nihal Kolur, SI.com, "Andre Iguodala Doubtful for Game 4 With Knee Soreness," 21 May 2018 Milwaukee Bucks center John Henson is still listed as doubtful with back soreness in the latest injury report before Game 6 against the Boston Celtics at the BMO Harris Bradley Center on Thursday night. — Ben Steele, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Bucks center John Henson takes part in morning shootaround before Game 6," 26 Apr. 2018 The past seven months are doubtful to have placed Sporting Kansas City’s front office in a more giving mood. — Sam Mcdowell, kansascity, "Krisztian Nemeth is reportedly available via trade. Is Sporting KC interested? | The Kansas City Star," 8 Mar. 2018 The McCutchen trade doesn't significantly alter the likelihood of a trade, according to multiple sources familiar with the negotiations, but a deal was looking doubtful anyway. — Zach Buchanan, Cincinnati.com, "How the Andrew McCutchen trade affects Billy Hamilton," 16 Jan. 2018 Tone says, with some fearing boycotts by American Catholics and others doubtful that women would even be interested. — Carolyn Todd, Allure, "The History and Evolution of Birth Control in America," 12 July 2018 Rodrigo Lasmar, the team doctor, admitted that left-back Marcelo remained doubtful for inclusion in the squad to face Mexico, while winger Douglas Costa is definitely out. — SI.com, "Brazil's Danilo Set to Return for Mexico Clash But Marcelo Doubtful and Douglas Costa Ruled Out," 1 July 2018 The governments of Myanmar and Bangladesh agreed in November to work toward the same goal, though human rights groups remain doubtful that the safe and sustainable return of some 700,000 Rohingya can be guaranteed. — Casey Quackenbush, Time, "Myanmar Military Officials Implicated in Crimes Against Humanity for Role in Rohingya Violence," 28 June 2018 Though the medical community remains doubtful, the dropping costs and availability of genetic testing seems poised to leave skeptics behind. — Soumya Karlamangla, latimes.com, "Decoding your baby's DNA: It can be done. But should it be?," 22 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'doubtful.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

27 Sep 2018

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The first known use of doubtful was in the 14th century

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More Definitions for doubtful

doubtful

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of doubtful

: uncertain or unsure about something

: not likely to be true : not probable

: likely to be bad : not worthy of trust

See the full definition for doubtful in the English Language Learners Dictionary

doubtful

adjective

doubt·ful | \ˈdau̇t-fəl

Kids Definition of doubtful

1 : undecided or unsure about something I'm doubtful we'll make it on time. Minli was a little doubtful about riding the dragon.— Grace Lin, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon