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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dubious
Between 2022 to 2025 however, there have been 19 weekends to fall below that dubious mark.
—
Brian Welk, IndieWire, 26 Jan. 2026
Minor celebrities, their dubious status on the wane, have sought to supercharge their prospects by accompanying ICE on raids or even joining its ranks.
—Ta-Nehisi Coates, Vanity Fair, 26 Jan. 2026
Trump has issued two hundred and twenty-eight executive orders—eight more than in his entire first term and sixty-six more than Joe Biden did in his four years—along with other dubious actions and pronouncements.
—Amy Davidson Sorkin, New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2026
And because Western insurers are forbidden from insuring them, tankers often operate with dubious Russian insurance, or no insurance at all.
—The Week Uk, TheWeek, 18 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dubious
Brian Welk, IndieWire, 26 Jan. 2026
Minor celebrities, their dubious status on the wane, have sought to supercharge their prospects by accompanying ICE on raids or even joining its ranks.
—Ta-Nehisi Coates, Vanity Fair, 26 Jan. 2026
Trump has issued two hundred and twenty-eight executive orders—eight more than in his entire first term and sixty-six more than Joe Biden did in his four years—along with other dubious actions and pronouncements.
—Amy Davidson Sorkin, New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2026
And because Western insurers are forbidden from insuring them, tankers often operate with dubious Russian insurance, or no insurance at all.
—The Week Uk, TheWeek, 18 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dubious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dubious
Adjective
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The ingredient lists are often questionable, loaded with gums, stabilizers, oils, and added sugars that brands throw in to make their products taste and act like real milk.—
Bon Appétit,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Outside of those three young players and Cam Skattebo, Schoen has consistently made questionable decisions since landing in New York and has a 22-45-1 record to show for it.—
Jacob Robinson,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The challenge for prosecutors Prosecutors generally face an uphill battle when charging police officers, as juries tend to be reluctant to second-guess officers acting in the heat of the moment, the legal experts said.—
Elise Hammond,
CNN Money,
24 Jan. 2026
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Current homeowners are reluctant to sell because their existing mortgage rate is much lower than current rates.—
Chris Gunster,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The most unlikely result is who speaks most plainly about the Kurds.—
Güney Yıldız,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
-
That means American users’ experience on the app is unlikely to change in a visible way, although the algorithm that determines what videos are served to their feeds could shift as the new ownership group takes control.—
CNN.com Wire Service,
Mercury News,
23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The Guardian also reported that Secretary of State and National Security Adviser Marco Rubio, initially skeptical about engaging with senior figures from Maduro’s inner circle, came to see Rodríguez’s assurances as a potential way to prevent instability following Maduro’s removal.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
23 Jan. 2026
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The women are very skeptical of Amanda.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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That disputable appraisal turned a few heads, and people began peppering the bot for further remarks on Musk’s physical prowess.—
Miles Klee,
Rolling Stone,
20 Nov. 2025
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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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Big pharmaceutical companies and major venture capitalists are interested in novel approaches but hesitant.—
Ana Castelain,
Bloomberg,
28 Jan. 2026
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Perhaps reflecting the stakes, GOP staff and campaign aides were hesitant Monday to talk about the issue at all.—
Bill Barrow,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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For the council, 44% approve of its performance, 47% disapprove and 9% are unsure.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Jan. 2026
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While forecasters are unsure of how much snow or sleet the region could get, a winter storm warning will go into effect Friday afternoon.—
Jordan Green,
Memphis Commercial Appeal,
23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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More than 100 police as well as army personnel were deployed to find Ingram, and the town's 1,100 residents were urged to stay indoors and report anything suspicious.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
24 Jan. 2026
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Wethersfield police are investigating a suspicious death after finding a person unresponsive in their vehicle, officials said.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
24 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dubious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dubious. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
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