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
But some fear Newsom might even veto the $110 million, although this seems doubtful, given the public anger that could generate.
—
George Skelton, Mercury News, 25 June 2025
Whether Baghdad would risk firing these at intruding IAF jets that are not actively attacking targets on its territory is doubtful, given the crushing retaliation doing so would likely incur.
—Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 22 June 2025
The Speaker insists the bill is still on track, but a group of Senate Republicans are growing increasingly doubtful about his plan.
—Aris Folley, The Hill, 19 May 2025
Trump and Musk will meet by the end of the year—giving that likelihood a 57 percent chance—but are doubtful that a meeting will come in the coming weeks.
—Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for doubtful
George Skelton, Mercury News, 25 June 2025
Whether Baghdad would risk firing these at intruding IAF jets that are not actively attacking targets on its territory is doubtful, given the crushing retaliation doing so would likely incur.
—Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 22 June 2025
The Speaker insists the bill is still on track, but a group of Senate Republicans are growing increasingly doubtful about his plan.
—Aris Folley, The Hill, 19 May 2025
Trump and Musk will meet by the end of the year—giving that likelihood a 57 percent chance—but are doubtful that a meeting will come in the coming weeks.
—Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for doubtful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for doubtful
Adjective
-
Without the autonomy to approve such costs within the agency, employees are unsure of their responsibilities.—
Alexis Simmerman,
Austin American Statesman,
11 July 2025
-
The filmmaker, unsure his story was appropriate at such a moment, was encouraged by Masharawi to proceed.—
Essie Assibu,
Variety,
10 July 2025
Adjective
-
Credits are issued by independent registries but the market has faced criticism for inconsistent standards, greenwashing, and questionable impact.—
Dianne Plummer,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2025
-
Chisholm followed that free pass with a questionable sac bunt for the first out of the inning.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
1 July 2025
Adjective
-
Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point game is much mythologized in NBA lore, but his extremely unlikely performance at the foul line that night isn’t recognized often.—
Chris Reed,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 July 2025
-
Defeat to the Netherlands would eliminate them (unless Wales were to beat France, leaving England praying for an unlikely 9-3-3-3 group and scraping through in second, which simply isn’t going to happen).—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
6 July 2025
Adjective
-
That included 83% of Democrats but just 33% of Republicans, who tend to be more skeptical of climate change.—
Susan Page,
USA Today,
6 July 2025
-
Lee also points out North Korea's poor infrastructure and vulnerability to geopolitical fluctuations as reasons to be skeptical about its tourism ambitions.—
Se Eun Gong,
NPR,
5 July 2025
Adjective
-
But the mark also represented Hackman's inability to turn down dubious projects.—
Alexis Simmerman,
Austin American Statesman,
2 July 2025
-
Connecticut now holds the dubious distinction of having the worst regulatory environment in the country, with unaffordable electric bills and toxic relations between PURA and utility companies.—
Edmund H. Mahony,
Hartford Courant,
30 June 2025
Adjective
-
Trump’s remarks targeting wind and solar are certainly debatable, but the direction of energy and climate policy in his second presidency is well beyond any real doubt.—
David Blackmon,
Forbes.com,
9 July 2025
-
But whether those are true All-Star-caliber numbers is certainly debatable — and the MLB selection did not take into account the issue of his health.—
Jon Vankin,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 July 2025
Adjective
-
Eventually when interest payments stopped, the scam investor victims in the Ponzi scheme became suspicious and following an investigation by the FBI both Burton and Wellesley were charged with wire fraud and money laundering.—
Steve Weisman,
Forbes.com,
13 July 2025
-
The suspicious person with a range finder who because the shooter, many times he was spotted by police with suspicion.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
13 July 2025
Adjective
-
Culture provides a grip in an uncertain world, whether racing through growth or crisis mode.—
Umang Modi,
Forbes.com,
7 July 2025
-
The future is uncertain for both the league and its players.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
7 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Doubtful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/doubtful. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share