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
Relevance
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
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 dubious
Wicked benefited from surpassing a lot of dubious expectations; For Good won’t have that luxury.
—
Joe Reid, Vulture, 27 Sep. 2025
Of course, people make boastful statements of dubious merit all the time, but, as our story explains, Robinson has monetized his fantasies by selling development masterclasses to aspiring writers and offering other services for a fee.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 26 Sep. 2025
Couldn’t a handful have said Pete Hegseth running the Pentagon is dubious enough, but giving a conspiratorial lunatic power over the Centers for Disease Control is a bridge far too far?
—U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Sep. 2025
His framing instead relied on the dubious proposition that drug smuggling is tantamount to violent aggression.
—Jacob Sullum, Oc Register, 25 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dubious
Joe Reid, Vulture, 27 Sep. 2025
Of course, people make boastful statements of dubious merit all the time, but, as our story explains, Robinson has monetized his fantasies by selling development masterclasses to aspiring writers and offering other services for a fee.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 26 Sep. 2025
Couldn’t a handful have said Pete Hegseth running the Pentagon is dubious enough, but giving a conspiratorial lunatic power over the Centers for Disease Control is a bridge far too far?
—U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Sep. 2025
His framing instead relied on the dubious proposition that drug smuggling is tantamount to violent aggression.
—Jacob Sullum, Oc Register, 25 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dubious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dubious
Adjective
-
After making his return Sunday from a two-week absence due to a toe injury, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy will be questionable to play Thursday night against the Los Angeles Rams because of toe soreness, general manager John Lynch said Tuesday morning.—
The Athletic Staff,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Everyone else on our team is questionable.—
Hunter Bailey,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The callow striver Redmond Barry is played by 1970s heartthrob Ryan O’Neal, in one of his best performances, a reluctant conscript in the British army after leaving his Irish home in disgrace.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Still, some Republican lawmakers said Trump may be reluctant to tap a policymaker previously nominated by a Democrat.—
Eleanor Mueller,
semafor.com,
29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Under an imperial decree, her captors become unlikely allies, guiding Jewish refugees through ambushes, shifting alliances and treacherous waters, while Sara confronts leadership, loyalty and love at a high cost.—
Ben Croll,
Variety,
29 Sep. 2025
-
However, the game rights change is contingent on the larger ESPN-NFL deal passing Department of Justice review, which seems increasingly unlikely to come before the NFL plots its 2026 calendar.—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Still, Israelis and Palestinians are skeptical; large majorities of both doubt there will be permanent peace, new Gallup polling found.—
Morgan Chalfant,
semafor.com,
29 Sep. 2025
-
But experts remain skeptical about Martínez’s theory of a burial connected to Taposiris Magna.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
That time, a very disputable foul denied him.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
18 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Season one ended on a cliffhanger as Joanne was hesitant to convert to Judaism, despite Noah’s promotion to head rabbi.—
Lexi Carson,
HollywoodReporter,
25 Sep. 2025
-
The Santa Clara County Office of Education and the Santa Clara County Board of Education co-sponsored the bill and said more than 165,000 students in the county live in a mixed-immigration status household and many families live in fear or are hesitant to sent their children to school.—
Molly Gibbs,
Mercury News,
24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Experts say women who are unsure should talk with their health care provider about their individual breast cancer risk and the potential benefits and drawbacks of different screening methods.—
Dr. Megha Gupta,
ABC News,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Another 31 percent remain unsure or sympathize equally with both.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
According to Japan's Foreign Ministry, North Korea has been spotted conducting suspicious transfers of goods between ships in the East China Sea, which is bordered by China, the Korean Peninsula, Japan and Taiwan.—
Ryan Chan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
-
An administrative hearing officer kicked her off the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) regardless, based solely on the allegedly suspicious shopping pattern.—
Orianna Rosa Royle,
Fortune,
30 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dubious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dubious. Accessed 3 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share