Synonyms of questionable

questionable

adjective

ˈkwes-chə-nə-bəl 

1

as in dubious

giving good reason for being doubted, questioned, or challenged

the runner's unexpected first-place finish is questionable, so a drug test has been ordered

Synonyms & Similar Words

• dubious
• disputable
• problematical
• problematic
• debatable
• suspicious
• doubtful
• suspect
• shaky
• ambiguous
• alleged
• fishy
• unclear
• equivocal
• shady
• dodgy
• queer
• dubitable
• doubtable
• unlikely
• weak
• uncertain
• moot
• supposed
• improbable
• undetermined
• flimsy
• so-called
• undecided
• open
• far-fetched

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• certain
• unquestionable
• indisputable
• sure
• undeniable
• undoubted
• incontestable
• unproblematic
• indubitable
• decisive
• definitive
• obvious
• questionless
• positive
• clear
• hands-down
• open-and-shut

2

as in unlikely

not likely to be true or to occur

it's questionable that he will show up tonight considering all the bad weather we're having

Synonyms & Similar Words

• unlikely
• dubious
• doubtful
• improbable
• flimsy
• odd
• bizarre
• far-fetched
• impossible
• incredible
• implausible
• unbelievable
• ridiculous
• unapt
• inconceivable
• fantastical
• unthinkable
• absurd
• unimaginable
• fantastic
• foolish
• outlandish
• nonsensical
• unreal
• insane
• preposterous
• crazy
• outside
• remote
• slight
• wild

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• probable
• likely
• possible
• plausible
• potential
• conceivable
• credible
• earthly
• believable
• liable
• imaginable

3

as in debatable

open to question or dispute

whether it will rain today or not is questionable

Synonyms & Similar Words

• debatable
• disputable
• doubtful
• controversial
• disputed
• ambiguous
• arguable
• problematical
• debated
• moot
• negotiable
• uncertain
• problematic
• speculative
• dubious
• issuable
• controvertible
• doubtable
• iffy
• hypothetical
• inconclusive
• theoretic
• shaky
• theoretical
• refutable
• academical
• contradictable
• indecisive
• academic
• equivocal

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• certain
• positive
• unquestionable
• indisputable
• sure
• undeniable
• incontestable
• unanswerable
• settled
• incontrovertible
• indubitable
• accomplished
• unarguable
• irrefutable
• definite
• unchallengeable
• irrefragable
• inarguable
• undebatable
• questionless
• unequivocal
• unambiguous
• clear
• decisive
• conclusive
• hands-down
• absolute
• undisputed
• uncontested

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective questionable contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of questionable are doubtful, dubious, and problematic. While all these words mean "not affording assurance of the worth, soundness, or certainty of something," questionable may imply no more than the existence of doubt but usually suggests that the suspicions are well-grounded.

a man of questionable honesty

Where would doubtful be a reasonable alternative to questionable?

The words doubtful and questionable can be used in similar contexts, but doubtful implies little more than a lack of conviction or certainty.

doubtful about whether I said the right thing

In what contexts can dubious take the place of questionable?

While the synonyms dubious and questionable are close in meaning, dubious stresses suspicion, mistrust, or hesitation.

dubious about the practicality of the scheme

When is it sensible to use problematic instead of questionable?

The synonyms problematic and questionable are sometimes interchangeable, but problematic applies especially to things whose existence, meaning, fulfillment, or realization is highly uncertain.

whether the project will ever be finished is problematic

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of questionable

Taken as a whole, the collage tells a multifaceted story of a multivalent, essential space, albeit one with perhaps some questionable karma. —Corey Seymour, Vogue, 2 May 2025

Stewart has been listed as questionable for the game and will again miss this contest. —Matt Levine, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025

Brown still is playing through the knee injury that’s hounded him since before the NBA All-Star break, with the Celtics listing him as questionable for Games, 3, 4 and 5 against Orlando. —Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 30 Apr. 2025

Even the lower numbers cited by Yale and Yellen are questionable. —George Calhoun, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025