1
as in unsure
not feeling sure about the truth, wisdom, or trustworthiness of someone or something
he was doubtful about the decision to complete the project despite its mounting problems
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in questionable
giving good reason for being doubted, questioned, or challenged
the election results were highly doubtful, so an investigation was begun
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in unlikely
not likely to be true or to occur
our winning the championship increasingly looks like a doubtful outcome
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in disputable
open to question or dispute
a doubtful claim to the property
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
McClure, of course, would love to see Steyer take the top spot in that easy-win scenario against Hilton, though that seems doubtful.
—
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
That goal looks especially doubtful now.
—
Michael Kan,
PC Magazine,
29 May 2026
Alas, customers were initially doubtful.
—
Mindy Johnston,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
28 May 2026
Despite these obstacles, the SFC is doubtful that its lawsuit will push Vizio or other smart TV OS operators to adopt a completely closed OS that would make customization and repairs impossible for users.
—
ArsTechnica,
20 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for doubtful
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
That goal looks especially doubtful now.
—
Michael Kan,
PC Magazine,
29 May 2026
Alas, customers were initially doubtful.
—
Mindy Johnston,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
28 May 2026
Despite these obstacles, the SFC is doubtful that its lawsuit will push Vizio or other smart TV OS operators to adopt a completely closed OS that would make customization and repairs impossible for users.
—
ArsTechnica,
20 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for doubtful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for doubtful
Adjective
-
Meanwhile, their adult children may feel unsure about how to — or even whether to — insert themselves.
-
Now that the Fan Fest has been canceled for the afternoon, thousands of Netherlands fans are unsure where to go.
Adjective
-
And the audio and video recording of women is a questionable feature of every camp – even if the men here don’t see it that way.
-
And the majority of students who require calculus for their eventual major end up retaking the introductory college course anyway—suggesting that the high school rush to calculus provides questionable academic benefit for most who undertake it.
Adjective
-
An unlikely combination of right-hander Gavin Hollowell, lefty Caleb Thielbar and right-hander Trent Thornton kept the Padres off the board over the final 2 2/3 innings to keep the game tied for the Cubs’ offense.
-
His workload and efficiency have been invaluable, and demoting seems unlikely.
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.
-
Speech — Intimidation as censorship The First Amendment protects disputable speech, not agreeable.
Adjective
-
Some physicists are skeptical that such waves could escape the intense gravitational environment near a black hole’s event horizon, or that current instruments can reliably separate a direct wave signal from the surrounding noise.
-
The fresh attack, the first reported since the US and Iran agreed last week to work toward a peace deal, prompted an uptick in global oil prices and came as Secretary of State Marco Rubio tried to sell the peace agreement to skeptical Gulf nations.
Adjective
-
The guest star’s fate looks dubious in an exclusive new clip released Wednesday ahead of Thursday’s sixth episode.
-
Japan has long held the dubious honor of a revolving door of prime ministers.
Adjective
-
But this approach rests on some debatable assumptions.
-
That’s what should’ve happened to the quarterback Brendan Sorsby, whose conduct isn’t debatable.
Adjective
-
Norma was instantly suspicious.
-
Ahead of the fateful trip to Zion, Bernadette was growing suspicious about Vander Meer’s behavior.
Cite this Entry
“Doubtful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/doubtful. Accessed 1 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
