debatable

adjective

di-ˈbā-tə-bəl How to pronounce debatable (audio)
Definition of debatablenext
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

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 debatable Whether these features will be useful in your daily life is debatable. — Christian De Looper, PC Magazine, 30 June 2026 But this approach rests on some debatable assumptions. — Michael Santoli, CNBC, 23 June 2026 That’s what should’ve happened to the quarterback Brendan Sorsby, whose conduct isn’t debatable. — Jemele Hill, The Atlantic, 19 June 2026 The other two benefits that Griffin cites are more debatable. — Gary Sernovitz, New Yorker, 15 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for debatable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debatable
  1. questionable
  2. disputable
  3. arguable
  4. dubious
  5. problematic
  6. doubtful
  7. suspicious
Adjective
  • And the sheer scale and complexity of the Medicaid system – joint federal-state funding, varying eligibility requirements, millions of enrollees and thousands of providers – created opportunities for questionable billing practices among providers.
    — Ben Zdencanovic, The Conversation, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Williams’ return After missing Golden State’s first game after the break, Williams was a game-time decision and played 19 minutes in the Valks’ win after being listed as questionable before tipoff.
    — Christian Babcock, Mercury News, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of questionable
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.
    — Andrew Pereira, Encyclopedia Britannica, 18 June 2026
  • Speech — Intimidation as censorship The First Amendment protects disputable speech, not agreeable.
    — Brielle Miller, Baltimore Sun, 9 Mar. 2026
Definition of disputable
Adjective
  • What’s less arguable is the quality of Kinnear’s performance, a fine study in comic understatement at first that modulates into a delicately limned portrait of pain barely stifled.
    — Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 21 July 2026
  • Those figures are arguable to the last decimal, and carriers, in his experience, pitch their tent wherever things are arguable.
    — Dara-Abasi Ita, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
Definition of arguable
Adjective
  • Football is full of cautionary tales (and, for the sake of balance, morally-dubious fairy tales) about the risks and rewards of taking on finance adjacent to or entangled with politics.
    — James Horncastle, New York Times, 30 July 2026
  • That dubious honor now belongs to conference rival Northwestern.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 30 July 2026
Definition of dubious
Adjective
  • The optics became nearly as problematic as the financial structure itself.
    — Clemente Lisi, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • So there seems to be something actively problematic with the DNA from those lineages in these regions.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 31 July 2026
Definition of problematic
Adjective
  • As for other returnees to Basic Instinct, Eszterhas was doubtful that Paul Verhoeven would return to direct, but expressed his hope that the filmmaker would come aboard.
    — Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 14 July 2026
  • Small Wages, bitter cold, long months of complete darkness, constant danger, safe return doubtful.
    — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 4 July 2026
Definition of doubtful
Adjective
  • Some of them felt betrayed by Platner himself, while others don’t believe the accusations against him, find the timing suspicious or think there was more to the story.
    — Margie Cullen, USA Today, 29 July 2026
  • Glen Powell is hitting the field once again — and this time, people are suspicious.
    — Shelby Stivale, Entertainment Weekly, 29 July 2026
Definition of suspicious

Browse Nearby Words

debasing
debatable
debate
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Cite this Entry

“Debatable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debatable. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of debatable for Spanish Speakers

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