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
Trump’s remarks targeting wind and solar are certainly debatable, but the direction of energy and climate policy in his second presidency is well beyond any real doubt.
—
David Blackmon, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
But whether those are true All-Star-caliber numbers is certainly debatable — and the MLB selection did not take into account the issue of his health.
—Jon Vankin, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 July 2025
While the films’ impact on government policy and/or public opinion is debatable, movies large and small have been at the forefront of some of the 21st century’s most difficult conversations.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 25 June 2025
How much coffee per day leads to healthy aging is debatable.
—Renée Onque, CNBC, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for debatable
David Blackmon, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
But whether those are true All-Star-caliber numbers is certainly debatable — and the MLB selection did not take into account the issue of his health.
—Jon Vankin, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 July 2025
While the films’ impact on government policy and/or public opinion is debatable, movies large and small have been at the forefront of some of the 21st century’s most difficult conversations.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 25 June 2025
How much coffee per day leads to healthy aging is debatable.
—Renée Onque, CNBC, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for debatable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debatable
Adjective
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The clubs engaged in an arms race that many of them could not afford and which was financed either with debt or the cash of questionable characters.—
Chris Deubert,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
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Well, not just them: also some of our most questionable corporations.—
Jordan Hoffman,
EW.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Another dubious distinction is that Texas boasts an economic precariousness that the rest of those states can’t match.—
Kathryn Anne Edwards,
Mercury News,
7 Aug. 2025
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Although revenues fell short of expectations for the last quarter, earnings per share were up, due to the dubious magic of share buybacks.—
Steve Denning,
Forbes.com,
6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Using the arguable sound of evil on the song gave the band an imposing reputation.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
25 July 2025
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Whether any of this truly accelerates hair growth is arguable—what these tips can do is keep your hair strong and full, leading to the illusion of length and avoiding breakage that would require a chop.—
Ana Morales,
Vogue,
23 July 2025
Adjective
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Federal courts in different circuits reaching conflicting interpretations of law has problematic implications that sometimes attract the attention, and willingness, of the U.S. Supreme Court to intervene.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
3 Aug. 2025
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The sugar in fruit juice may also be problematic for some people with diabetes.—
Faye Chiu,
CNN Money,
1 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Even though Zuckerberg has snatched some of his AI workers, Altman is doubtful that his competitor will be able to replicate the same success of OpenAI.—
Diane Brady,
Fortune,
4 Aug. 2025
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Trump has long been doubtful of the mutual defense alliance.—
Saige Miller,
NPR,
2 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Today’s financial institutions must be able to rapidly identify suspicious transactions out of billions per day.—
Roman Reznikov,
Forbes.com,
6 Aug. 2025
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Mount developed his characterization, with his reedy voice, suspicious eyes and slumped posture, on set.—
Lauren Coates,
Variety,
4 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Debatable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debatable. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
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