1
not used before a noun
: unsure or uncertain : feeling doubt about something
—usually + about
I was dubious [=doubtful] about our chances for success.
2
: causing doubt, uncertainty, or suspicion : likely to be bad or wrong
Her conclusions are pretty dubious, if you ask me. [=her conclusions are probably wrong]
He made the highly dubious claim that Elvis is still alive and living in Hawaii.
She was a dubious choice for the job. [=she was not a good choice for the job]
They got their money through dubious means/methods. [=methods that were probably dishonest or illegal]
a man of dubious character
3
—used ironically in phrases like dubious honor and dubious distinction to describe something bad or undesirable as if it were an honor or achievement
He is the lawyer with the dubious honor of having lost the most cases in the firm.
We had the dubious distinction of losing 12 games in a row.
Cite this Entry
“Dubious.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/dubious. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.
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