doubtful

adjective

doubt·​ful ˈdau̇t-fəl How to pronounce doubtful (audio)
1
a
: 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.
2
: marked by qualities that raise doubts about worth, honesty, or validity
of doubtful repute
3
: giving rise to doubt or uncertainty : open to question
It is doubtful that they ever knew what happened.
a doubtful premise
doubtfully adverb
doubtfulness noun
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
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.
Hours before tip-off, word spread that Gordon was doubtful to play and that this injury would take weeks to recover from. Ricardo Klein, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 May 2025 Nonetheless, the stock has declined nearly 40% from its peak in 2024, as investors remain doubtful regarding these plans. Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025 Currently, the most productive third basemen in the game are playing for obvious contenders or teams that are unlikely to consider selling or are doubtful on matching up with the Cubs. Sahadev Sharma, New York Times, 2 May 2025 The Celtics ruled the 34-year-old out the day before each of their last two games rather than listing him as questionable or doubtful. Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 28 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for doubtful

Word History

Etymology

see doubt entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Doubtful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/doubtful. Accessed 22 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

doubtful

adjective
doubt·​ful ˈdau̇t-fəl How to pronounce doubtful (audio)
1
: not clear or certain as to fact
a doubtful claim
2
: questionable sense 2
doubtful intentions
3
: undecided in opinion
4
: not certain in outcome
doubtfully adverb
doubtfulness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on doubtful

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!