Synonyms of doubtful

doubtful

adjective

ˈdau̇t-fəl 

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

• unsure
• skeptical
• suspicious
• uncertain
• dubious
• unsettled
• unconvinced
• undecided
• distrustful
• mistrustful
• hesitant
• on the fence
• ambivalent
• trustless
• conflicted
• hinky
• equivocal
• irresolute
• diffident
• insecure
• indecisive
• wavering
• vacillating
• halting

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• sure
• certain
• positive
• convinced
• confident
• assured
• sanguine
• decisive
• determined
• resolute
• self-assured

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

• questionable
• dubious
• disputable
• problematical
• suspicious
• debatable
• problematic
• suspect
• shaky
• ambiguous
• unclear
• equivocal
• fishy
• alleged
• unlikely
• doubtable
• dubitable
• shady
• dodgy
• queer
• uncertain
• weak
• moot
• supposed
• improbable
• undetermined
• undecided
• flimsy
• so-called
• far-fetched
• open

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• sure
• certain
• unquestionable
• indisputable
• undeniable
• undoubted
• indubitable
• unproblematic
• incontestable
• decisive
• definitive
• obvious
• questionless
• positive
• clear
• hands-down
• open-and-shut

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

• unlikely
• questionable
• dubious
• improbable
• odd
• flimsy
• impossible
• far-fetched
• bizarre
• unapt
• implausible
• inconceivable
• incredible
• unbelievable
• unthinkable
• ridiculous
• unimaginable
• absurd
• fantastical
• foolish
• fantastic
• unreal
• outlandish
• preposterous
• insane
• nonsensical
• crazy
• slight
• outside
• remote
• wild

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• probable
• likely
• possible
• plausible
• conceivable
• potential
• credible
• earthly
• liable
• believable
• imaginable

4

as in disputable

open to question or dispute

a doubtful claim to the property

Synonyms & Similar Words

• questionable
• disputable
• debatable
• arguable
• moot
• disputed
• controversial
• ambiguous
• negotiable
• problematical
• uncertain
• controvertible
• doubtable
• issuable
• debated
• problematic
• speculative
• iffy
• inconclusive
• hypothetical
• theoretic
• dubious
• shaky
• theoretical
• refutable
• academical
• indecisive
• contradictable
• equivocal
• academic

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• sure
• certain
• positive
• unquestionable
• indisputable
• undeniable
• unanswerable
• indubitable
• incontestable
• accomplished
• incontrovertible
• settled
• irrefragable
• unchallengeable
• unarguable
• definite
• irrefutable
• undebatable
• inarguable
• unequivocal
• questionless
• conclusive
• unambiguous
• decisive
• clear
• hands-down
• absolute
• undisputed
• uncontested

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective doubtful contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of doubtful are dubious, problematic, and questionable. While all these words mean "not affording assurance of the worth, soundness, or certainty of something," doubtful implies little more than a lack of conviction or certainty.

doubtful about whether I said the right thing

When is dubious a more appropriate choice than doubtful?

The words dubious and doubtful are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, dubious stresses suspicion, mistrust, or hesitation.

dubious about the practicality of the scheme

When is it sensible to use problematic instead of doubtful?

While the synonyms problematic and doubtful are close in meaning, problematic applies especially to things whose existence, meaning, fulfillment, or realization is highly uncertain.

whether the project will ever be finished is problematic

When would questionable be a good substitute for doubtful?

While in some cases nearly identical to doubtful, questionable may imply no more than the existence of doubt but usually suggests that the suspicions are well-grounded.

a man of questionable honesty

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of doubtful

The company continues to focus on expanding its loan portfolio and maintaining strong asset quality, with no loans classified as substandard or doubtful at year-end. —Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 28 Mar. 2025

Jamal Murray’s injury Nuggets guard Jamal Murray is doubtful due to right hamstring imflammation after missing the past five games. —Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 9 Apr. 2025

While Carvana has posted upside earnings surprises in the past, the investor was doubtful that will be repeated. —Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 8 Apr. 2025

But Sumner is doubtful that Newsom's directive will go anywhere toward helping the state. —Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Apr. 2025