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
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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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Recent Examples of debatable
What’s less debatable is his position among the great philosophers.
—
Encyclopedia Britannica, 11 Mar. 2026
Less debatable in the meantime is how Barrera’s firing has had widespread effects on Scream 7 and the future of the franchise.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 26 Feb. 2026
Whether the Sox made enough moves to satisfy fans is debatable.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026
Even if the tariffs are effective — which is debatable — these advocates miss the point.
—Jan Goldsmith, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for debatable
Encyclopedia Britannica, 11 Mar. 2026
Less debatable in the meantime is how Barrera’s firing has had widespread effects on Scream 7 and the future of the franchise.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 26 Feb. 2026
Whether the Sox made enough moves to satisfy fans is debatable.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026
Even if the tariffs are effective — which is debatable — these advocates miss the point.
—Jan Goldsmith, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for debatable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debatable
Adjective
-
However merry the mayhem of the movie dorm on Broadway, the sustainability of it all was starting to seem questionable.—
Lena Dunham,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Initially listed as questionable for the game with back spasms, Norman Powell on Sunday morning was downgraded to out because of an upper respiratory illness.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Speech — Intimidation as censorship The First Amendment protects disputable speech, not agreeable.—
Brielle Miller,
Baltimore Sun,
9 Mar. 2026
-
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
Adjective
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Pavia also notes there are arguable inconsistencies in his group’s exclusion compared to other groups who are permitted to play.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The reasons for this state of affairs were complicated and no doubt arguable.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
After being handed a fake car from a dubious contest, Castillo filed a real lawsuit against the station for $60,000.—
John Tufts,
IndyStar,
1 Apr. 2026
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The price of gasoline in June 2022 wins that dubious distinction.—
Jose R. Gonzalez,
AZCentral.com,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Amichai Cohen, a senior fellow at the Israel Democracy Institute’s Center for Democratic Values and Institutions, said this distinction is problematic.—
Julia Frankel,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Woods has always had a complicated reputation, but he’s also widely considered one of the best golfers ever, which means a lot of his problematic behavior has been excused because of his talent and his friendship with the US President.—
StyleCaster Editors,
StyleCaster,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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With key Pistons defenders like Ausar Thompson (ankle), Cade Cunningham (lung), and Isaiah Stewart (calf) sidelined or doubtful, Gilgeous-Alexander has a prime opportunity to exploit the matchup.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
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Starting center Neemias Queta — who, like Tatum, was listed as questionable against Charlotte before being upgraded before tipoff — is doubtful to play against Atlanta with a right thumb sprain.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Banks are required by law to report suspicious activity in customer accounts to federal authorities in order to flag potential criminal activity, such as money laundering or fraud.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
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The idea was that a couple with a kid in tow wouldn’t look too suspicious taking a walk near a police station or an Army base.—
Zayd Ayers Dohrn,
New Yorker,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Debatable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debatable. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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