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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of debatable
Yet if Mars’ execution is nearly impossible to criticize, his choices as curator of the evening are more debatable.
—
Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 30 Apr. 2026
Some have pointed to a 1980 precedent holding that the motion to enter executive session for a discharge vote is non-debatable — meaning Thune could get Warsh into the room without a cloture vote.
—Phil Mattingly, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2026
Though whether this return to Gilead is interesting enough to exist is debatable.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 10 Apr. 2026
And that is, to say the least, debatable.
—Chicago Tribune, Twin Cities, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for debatable
Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 30 Apr. 2026
Some have pointed to a 1980 precedent holding that the motion to enter executive session for a discharge vote is non-debatable — meaning Thune could get Warsh into the room without a cloture vote.
—Phil Mattingly, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2026
Though whether this return to Gilead is interesting enough to exist is debatable.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 10 Apr. 2026
And that is, to say the least, debatable.
—Chicago Tribune, Twin Cities, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for debatable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debatable
Adjective
-
In March, independent journalist Nick Shirley released a video calling out a large number of questionable hospice providers clustered in Los Angeles, following his high-profile video investigation into fraudulent daycare providers in Minnesota.—
Susan Shelley,
Oc Register,
23 May 2026
-
Sure, his brethren didn't do themselves any favours with their questionable behaviour, but Rotta could be the one to prove that no one is defined by their past.—
Sergio Pereira,
Space.com,
22 May 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
-
With the arguable exception of that scrappy first season in Manchester, the last two seasons of City have been Guardiola’s worst.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
22 May 2026
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And while Cathy has always been a famous beauty, Pugh is looking almost unreasonably chic as the arguable tyrant/Satan analog.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
14 May 2026
Adjective
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This is also why single-member LLCs are of dubious value for asset protection purposes, unless they are owned by something like a trust that is unlikely to ever have a judgment creditor.—
Jay Adkisson,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
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Homeowners may wonder why another large group — the many city and county residents who love Balboa Park — arguably benefited the most from the leverage Aguirre and Severson had on the city in their lawsuit exposing its shabby and legally dubious trash practices.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 May 2026
Adjective
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Claire’s elective death therefore remains a problematic choice for some viewers, an act of vainglorious selfishness from a woman who was never terribly nice to begin with.—
Leslie Felperin,
HollywoodReporter,
24 May 2026
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The problematic types are the social wasps, who live together in a colony with a queen.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
23 May 2026
Adjective
-
On top of all this, some telecom experts are doubtful that the next-generation Starlink Mobile satellites can serve urban areas, as the satellite beams will struggle to penetrate concrete-and-steel buildings.—
Michael Kan,
PC Magazine,
21 May 2026
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Despite these obstacles, the SFC is doubtful that its lawsuit will push Vizio or other smart TV OS operators to adopt a completely closed OS that would make customization and repairs impossible for users.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
20 May 2026
Adjective
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Further, according to a TSA spokesperson, packing food that looks suspicious on X-ray, like powders or dense snacks, often gets your bag flagged.—
Jillian Dara,
Travel + Leisure,
23 May 2026
-
Officers searched the grounds and found nothing suspicious.—
Ethan Varian,
Mercury News,
23 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Debatable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debatable. Accessed 29 May. 2026.
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