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
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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
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Recent Examples of doubtful
He was not given a game designation, like questionable, doubtful or out.
—
Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 28 Sep. 2025
But some scholars are doubtful that’s routinely happening.
—Lauren Sausser, NBC news, 24 Sep. 2025
Rams left guard Steve Avila (ankle) did not practice Friday and is listed as doubtful for Sunday’s road game against the Philadelphia Eagles (2-0).
—Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025
Greenlaw is now doubtful to suit up for Sunday’s matchup with the Chargers, leaving next week’s game against the Bengals as the last possible chance to validate Denver for not placing the veteran linebacker on IR at the start of the year.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for doubtful
Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 28 Sep. 2025
But some scholars are doubtful that’s routinely happening.
—Lauren Sausser, NBC news, 24 Sep. 2025
Rams left guard Steve Avila (ankle) did not practice Friday and is listed as doubtful for Sunday’s road game against the Philadelphia Eagles (2-0).
—Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025
Greenlaw is now doubtful to suit up for Sunday’s matchup with the Chargers, leaving next week’s game against the Bengals as the last possible chance to validate Denver for not placing the veteran linebacker on IR at the start of the year.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for doubtful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for doubtful
Adjective
-
The largest percentage believes the economy is getting worse, with 57 percent, and 4 percent are unsure.—
Deputy News Editor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Oct. 2025
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But experts are still unsure how much of a difference this will make for users who are using the app with their true age.—
Anna Halkidis,
Parents,
14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Two other names on the injury report for Buffalo are tight end Dalton Kincaid (oblique, questionable) and wide receiver/kick returner Curtis Samuel (neck/ribs, questionable).—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
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Aaron Brewer will suit up Sunday after initially being ruled questionable with a pectoral injury.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Roche Diagnostics said Monday that its Elecsys pTau181 test, developed in collaboration with Eli Lilly, could be used by primary care physicians to help identify patients who are unlikely to have Alzheimer’s disease, while those with a positive result would be recommended for further testing.—
Jacqueline Howard,
CNN Money,
13 Oct. 2025
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Hyperscalers such as Microsoft are unlikely to reduce capital expenditure due to minor equity downturns or cryptocurrency volatility.—
Michael Khouw,
CNBC,
13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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That time, a very disputable foul denied him.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
18 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Another notable Wall Street analyst, LightShed’s Rich Greenfield, is similarly skeptical of a Netflix deal for WB.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Oct. 2025
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Analysts are skeptical over whether the Gaza peace agreement — which calls for a full disarmament of Hamas, among other vexxing issues — will be fully implemented, even as its initial phase looked to be unfolding as hoped.—
Prashant Rao,
semafor.com,
13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Sometimes, Wyeth’s work was described as bourgeois, betraying a desire for black ease and affluence, trading in a corrosive and politically dubious desire to see black people rich or at the very least in luxurious settings.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Oct. 2025
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That decision seems dubious, because Trader made one of the most damaging defensive plays of the game when he was juked out by Ladd McConkey on a play in which the Chargers receiver caught a 3-yard pass and ran another 40 to set up the game-winning field goal.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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That’s debatable, but the sweet, vanilla-forward coating and pop of salt on top turns ordinary pretzels into a yummy confection nonetheless.—
Jolene Thym,
Mercury News,
14 Oct. 2025
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Answer remains debatable, but swings with Miami’s 1-4 start.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The duo must sneak around the industrial plant and analyze three packages full of teddy bears filled with a suspicious substance.—
Jordan Moreau,
Variety,
14 Oct. 2025
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Officers from the fire department in Barra da Tijuca were called to the scene after neighbors noticed a suspicious smell coming from the property.—
Becca Longmire,
PEOPLE,
14 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Doubtful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/doubtful. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.
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