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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective dubious contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of dubious are doubtful, problematic, and questionable. While all these words mean "not affording assurance of the worth, soundness, or certainty of something," dubious stresses suspicion, mistrust, or hesitation.

dubious about the practicality of the scheme

When would doubtful be a good substitute for dubious?

The meanings of doubtful and dubious largely overlap; however, doubtful implies little more than a lack of conviction or certainty.

doubtful about whether I said the right thing

Where would problematic be a reasonable alternative to dubious?

While in some cases nearly identical to dubious, problematic applies especially to things whose existence, meaning, fulfillment, or realization is highly uncertain.

whether the project will ever be finished is problematic

When could questionable be used to replace dubious?

The words questionable and dubious can be used in similar contexts, but 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

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 Slowing down and speeding up Daisy arrived in his life through his ex-wife, who was moving to a new place that was dubious about pets. Neal Rubin, Freep.com, 4 Oct. 2025 That includes the temporary shelving of Jimmy Kimmel and the pressure on corporate parents that prompted the multimillion-dollar settlements of dubious lawsuits against ABC News and CBS News. Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 2 Oct. 2025 When Kimberly and her family leave the New Jersey suburbs under dubious circumstances, Kimberly reevaluates her life while dealing with her hypochondriac mother, alcoholic father, scam-artist aunt, her own mortality and her first love. Meredith G. White, AZCentral.com, 1 Oct. 2025 Two years later, the labor statistics for junior programmers look dubious. Nikita Ostrovsky, Time, 1 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dubious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dubious
Adjective
  • 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
  • Aaron Brewer will suit up Sunday after initially being ruled questionable with a pectoral injury.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The project’s prestigious pedigree allowed the producers to be strategic about which partners to invite, rather than having to convince reluctant financiers.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 13 Oct. 2025
  • But states may remain reluctant to offer the expensive drugs for obesity, because Medicaid recipients frequently churn on and off the coverage as their income changes.
    Phil Galewitz, USA Today, 12 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • 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
  • Another notable Wall Street analyst, LightShed’s Rich Greenfield, is similarly skeptical of a Netflix deal for WB.
    Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 13 Oct. 2025
  • 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
  • That time, a very disputable foul denied him.
    Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Adams seems hesitant to take too much credit for Dallas’ run-game turnaround.
    Jon Machota, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
  • Tracking the cons Victims of scams tend to be hesitant to come forward because of the shame that comes with being taken for a ride.
    Katherine Laidlaw, HubSpot, 10 Oct. 2025
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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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

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Cite this Entry

“Dubious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dubious. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.

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