1
as in unsure
not feeling sure about the truth, wisdom, or trustworthiness of someone or something
he was doubtful about the decision to complete the project despite its mounting problems
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in questionable
giving good reason for being doubted, questioned, or challenged
the election results were highly doubtful, so an investigation was begun
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in unlikely
not likely to be true or to occur
our winning the championship increasingly looks like a doubtful outcome
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in disputable
open to question or dispute
a doubtful claim to the property
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 doubtful
Initially doubtful of her claim to survivor status, she’s emboldened by her female friends to speak openly of her experience, which in turn becomes the cause célèbre that carries the entire movement.
—
Guy Lodge, Variety, 17 May 2025
Allen set a course record in the victory and sent a postcard to her doubtful doctor afterward.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 25 May 2025
The marathon meeting came and went as House Republican leaders are looking to get the Trump agenda bill through the chamber by Memorial Day, an ambitious timeline that some lawmakers are doubtful of.
—Mike Lillis, The Hill, 14 May 2025
Luis Suarez had to go out of town for personal reasons and is doubtful for the Inter Miami game on the road Saturday against Minnesota United.
Miami coach Javier Mascherano did not share details about Suarez’s situation and did not say when he was expected to rejoin the team.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for doubtful
Guy Lodge, Variety, 17 May 2025
Allen set a course record in the victory and sent a postcard to her doubtful doctor afterward.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 25 May 2025
The marathon meeting came and went as House Republican leaders are looking to get the Trump agenda bill through the chamber by Memorial Day, an ambitious timeline that some lawmakers are doubtful of.
—Mike Lillis, The Hill, 14 May 2025
Luis Suarez had to go out of town for personal reasons and is doubtful for the Inter Miami game on the road Saturday against Minnesota United.
Miami coach Javier Mascherano did not share details about Suarez’s situation and did not say when he was expected to rejoin the team.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for doubtful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for doubtful
Adjective
-
The outfit is unsure about the root cause of the problem and has launched an investigation to prevent a similar incident.—
Saajan Jogia,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 June 2025
-
Often, players look unsure of team-mates’ positions and can consequently concede possession in dangerous situations.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
28 June 2025
Adjective
-
However, based on the questionable quality of the data, not all experts are convinced that the AI model is accurate.—
Joanna Thompson,
Space.com,
21 June 2025
-
However, many travelers don't think twice about buying a cheap charging cable from a questionable vendor at an airport shop or online marketplace, making these cables a more successful point of attack.—
Iona Brannon,
Travel + Leisure,
21 June 2025
Adjective
-
De-Lin, a fellow with Physicians for Reproductive Health, saw some patients who, at 20 weeks of pregnancy, learned that their fetuses had severe anomalies and were unlikely to survive.—
Chantelle Lee,
Time,
24 June 2025
-
Despite rapid advances in AI tools, experts say the technology is unlikely to transform the film and TV industry overnight due to rising production costs fueled by streaming wars.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
24 June 2025
Adjective
-
Some employees are skeptical of the AI, especially following a Bloomberg report in January that predicted up to 200,000 jobs on Wall Street could be at risk within five years due to technologies like AI.—
Chris Morris,
Fortune,
24 June 2025
-
But Israel will likely be skeptical of China’s neutrality as a mediator, analysts said, citing Beijing’s close ties with Iran and concerns about of provoking the Trump administration.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
23 June 2025
Adjective
-
But another piece of it is in the dubious nature of the state’s creation.—
Chris Stirewalt,
The Hill,
20 June 2025
-
Pair that with a Republican reconciliation bill that increases tax giveaways while refusing to rein in even the most dubious Medicaid expansions, and the message is unmistakable: Washington is still in giveaway mode.—
Fatima Hussein,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2025
Adjective
-
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
Adjective
-
Meanwhile, security teams must expand visibility with tools that monitor AI use, flag suspicious behavior and inventory every AI-enabled app.—
Jason Vest,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
-
Why else, the night Mrs. Palit invited us to dinner, did my eyes fall on suspicious dark objects, not much larger than prominent flecks of salt, in the dal?—
Jhumpa Lahiri,
New Yorker,
30 June 2025
Adjective
-
Overall, the challenges highlighted by business leaders included uncertain economic conditions (55 percent), tariffs (41 percent), and revenue and sales growth (41 percent).—
Hugh Cameron,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 June 2025
-
To be sure, the uncertain economy could weigh on consumer spending in the near term, impacting online purchases.—
Paulina Likos,
CNBC,
25 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Doubtful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/doubtful. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share