1
as in questionable
open to question or dispute
it's always debatable which college football team is really number one, since there's more than one ranking system
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in disputable
giving good reason for being doubted, questioned, or challenged
the debatable wisdom of going back for another helping from the buffet
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of debatable
Chelsea currently hold that record, albeit their ‘sale’ price is debatable.
—
Dan Sheldon, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
What's still debatable is the exact threshold at which risks increase.
—Will Stone, NPR, 8 Oct. 2025
Advertisement Ed Gein isn’t wrong to note that great art has arisen from engagement with true crime (though Chain Saw’s inclusion in that canon is debatable).
—Judy Berman, Time, 6 Oct. 2025
While Stroud's drop in athleticism is debatable, the young signal-caller’s production has dipped since his standout rookie season.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 4 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for debatable
Dan Sheldon, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
What's still debatable is the exact threshold at which risks increase.
—Will Stone, NPR, 8 Oct. 2025
Advertisement Ed Gein isn’t wrong to note that great art has arisen from engagement with true crime (though Chain Saw’s inclusion in that canon is debatable).
—Judy Berman, Time, 6 Oct. 2025
While Stroud's drop in athleticism is debatable, the young signal-caller’s production has dipped since his standout rookie season.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 4 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for debatable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debatable
Adjective
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Austin Reaves, who also missed Monday’s game, is listed as questionable, while LeBron James, Maxi Kleber, Adou Thiero, and Gabe Vincent remain out.—
Cole Sullivan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
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The extent of the President's potential influence with New Yorkers in Cuomo's uphill battle with Mamdani is questionable.—
Connor Greene,
Time,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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That time, a very disputable foul denied him.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
18 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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While that’s arguable, what is not is that productivity in the U.K. has been remarkably flat for roughly 20 years.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
22 Sep. 2025
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Whether a cell in 1598 played a part in conceiving of the scrawny, hobbled hidalgo with a cardboard visor and a bent lance is arguable, but Cervantes’ far more traumatic enslavement from 1571 until 1576 must have formed his intimate comprehension of the difference between freedom and servitude.—
Ed Simon
September 22,
Literary Hub,
22 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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But all of that assumes that a putsch does succeed, and this is dubious.—
Quico Toro,
The Atlantic,
4 Nov. 2025
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Also, the father in the book is a screenwriter, opening the door for sharp commentary on Hollywood and its dubious attempts at on-screen representation.—
Andrew McGowan,
Variety,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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The show leans into this offensive, problematic plot device without any self-awareness.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
5 Nov. 2025
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However, others didn't find the ad too problematic.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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If at any point María Luisa hesitated, doubtful about the tastefulness of this colossus, those doubts vanished the moment a representative of the city council delivered a witty and audacious explanation of the arch.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Nov. 2025
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On Thursday, the Dolphins are expected to be without safety Ashtyn Davis, who is doubtful with a quadriceps injury.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Once Pearl knows that Dale was suspicious of Betty Jo, the damage to their relationship is done.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
5 Nov. 2025
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The scouting trips were particularly suspicious to investigators because none of the suspects are over 21 years old, ruling out legitimate visits to bars or clubs.—
Michael Ruiz,
FOXNews.com,
4 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Debatable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debatable. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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