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
In straight-line acceleration, the outcome was no longer debatable.
—
Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 13 Jan. 2026
That’s definitely debatable, especially regarding the former.
—James Boyd, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026
And the idea that Denmark has it right on vaccines — even for its own population — is debatable.
—Lisa Jarvis, Mercury News, 9 Jan. 2026
Any others are debatable at best.
—CBS News, 7 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for debatable
Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 13 Jan. 2026
That’s definitely debatable, especially regarding the former.
—James Boyd, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026
And the idea that Denmark has it right on vaccines — even for its own population — is debatable.
—Lisa Jarvis, Mercury News, 9 Jan. 2026
Any others are debatable at best.
—CBS News, 7 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for debatable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debatable
Adjective
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Malik Monk, who started at point guard after De’Aaron Fox was traded last season, is questionable against the Wizards due to a right heel contusion.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
1 Feb. 2026
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But Heat starting guard Norman Powell remains questionable for Sunday after missing Saturday’s loss to the Bulls because of personal reasons.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
1 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
That disputable appraisal turned a few heads, and people began peppering the bot for further remarks on Musk’s physical prowess.—
Miles Klee,
Rolling Stone,
20 Nov. 2025
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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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Its arguable defining moment so far came in a tense interview with Representative Ritchie Torres, one of the Democratic Party’s most ardent defenders of Israel.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
8 Dec. 2025
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While arguable, the biggest debate comes down to the sides.—
Amanda Luberto,
AZCentral.com,
24 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Although that is a dubious solution, as companies aren’t likely to hire more people until there is more buying.—
Erik Sherman,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
But in the opinions of the two lead detectives on the case, to comment on every single one, to give credence publicly to even the most dubious messages, as Captain Donahoe was doing, only made the department look like a bunch of saps.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
At supersonic speeds, this is incredibly problematic.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Ignore areas that look problematic.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
25 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Former University of Denver Pioneers star and Denver native Troy Terry (upper-body injury) also sounded doubtful.—
Andrew Knoll,
Oc Register,
20 Jan. 2026
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The team ruled out starting guard Payton Pritchard with left ankle soreness after initially listing him as doubtful.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
17 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
If a homeowner finds a suspicious device, the department said not to touch it and call law enforcement.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Joining George in his fight to stop the slasher are a particularly suspicious student (Ian Sera) and a famous tennis pro (Lynda Day George) who, bored with the celebrity touring circuit, decides to join up as an undercover detective.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Debatable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debatable. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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