1
as in questionable
giving good reason for being doubted, questioned, or challenged
any letter bearing the signature of Geronimo would be of dubious authenticity, to say the least
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in reluctant
slow to begin or proceed with a course of action because of doubts or uncertainty
I'm dubious about our plan to go hang gliding without having had any training
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in unlikely
not likely to be true or to occur
made the dubious claim of being of royal blood
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in skeptical
not feeling sure about the truth, wisdom, or trustworthiness of someone or something
dubious about a diet that claims I can eat all I want and still lose weight
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dubious
The second Trump administration, well aware of this deference, is using foreign policy as a pretext for its legally dubious actions.
—
Elizabeth N. Saunders, Foreign Affairs, 16 June 2025
His save from the spot in the 43rd minute, after a dubious penalty was called against Miami, kept the match scoreless.
—Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 15 June 2025
The largest margin of victory this season improved Colorado to 14-57 — still on pace to be the worst team in the modern era — and made another dubious distinction for the Rockies offense a moot point.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 15 June 2025
Bonta argues that the use of the CRA to revoke the waivers, which were issued by the Biden EPA in 2023, is unprecedented and legally dubious.
—David Blackmon, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for dubious
Elizabeth N. Saunders, Foreign Affairs, 16 June 2025
His save from the spot in the 43rd minute, after a dubious penalty was called against Miami, kept the match scoreless.
—Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 15 June 2025
The largest margin of victory this season improved Colorado to 14-57 — still on pace to be the worst team in the modern era — and made another dubious distinction for the Rockies offense a moot point.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 15 June 2025
Bonta argues that the use of the CRA to revoke the waivers, which were issued by the Biden EPA in 2023, is unprecedented and legally dubious.
—David Blackmon, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for dubious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dubious
Adjective
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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
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The market was split between natural products that didn’t perform and luxury beauty loaded with questionable ingredients.—
Megan Bruneau,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2025
Adjective
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The holdout Republicans remain reluctant to give their votes, and their leaders have almost no room to spare, given their narrow majorities.—
Glen Luke Flanagan,
Fortune,
30 June 2025
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Set during the American Revolutionary War, this historical drama features Mel Gibson as Benjamin Martin, a peaceful farmer who becomes a reluctant war hero after his family is threatened.—
Jené Luciani Sena
may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom.,
FOXNews.com,
30 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
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Households below those thresholds may qualify for the full tax benefit, but are unlikely to buy an expensive enough car to do so, economists said.—
Greg Iacurci,
CNBC,
24 June 2025
Adjective
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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
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But some, including former Charlotte Mayor Pro Tem Braxton Winston, remain skeptical about whether the current bill will lay the groundwork for a successful regional system.—
Mary Ramsey,
Charlotte Observer,
23 June 2025
Adjective
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And compared to past conflicts, the American public—especially young people—are far more hesitant about war.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 June 2025
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Looking Forward With the treatment landscape in such upheaval, experts are hesitant to predict what the future of obesity and diabetes treatment will look like.—
Emily Kay Votruba,
EverydayHealth.com,
23 June 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
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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
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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
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But some fear Newsom might even veto the $110 million, although this seems doubtful, given the public anger that could generate.—
George Skelton,
Los Angeles Times,
23 June 2025
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Whether Baghdad would risk firing these at intruding IAF jets that are not actively attacking targets on its territory is doubtful, given the crushing retaliation doing so would likely incur.—
Paul Iddon,
Forbes.com,
22 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dubious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dubious. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
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