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
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Recent Examples of dubious
Still, the father of two is seemingly dubious about the still-mysterious woman’s intentions.
—
Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025
Watch parties of dubious legality for this weekend’s finale are popping up at bars around America, but think how much revenue could be captured if someone was able to charge us to watch this.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 7 Sep. 2025
Some are dubious of helping private developers build market-rate housing or concerned about gentrification and preserving the character of local communities.
—Ethan Varian, Mercury News, 6 Sep. 2025
The legal basis of his claim is dubious, given that O'Donnell was born in New York.
—Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dubious
Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025
Watch parties of dubious legality for this weekend’s finale are popping up at bars around America, but think how much revenue could be captured if someone was able to charge us to watch this.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 7 Sep. 2025
Some are dubious of helping private developers build market-rate housing or concerned about gentrification and preserving the character of local communities.
—Ethan Varian, Mercury News, 6 Sep. 2025
The legal basis of his claim is dubious, given that O'Donnell was born in New York.
—Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dubious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dubious
Adjective
-
Of all the questionable advice pinging around social media platforms, this one really stinks—literally.—
Ashleigh N. DeLuca,
Parents,
16 Sep. 2025
-
The Chargers said initially that Mack was questionable to return due to an elbow injury, but was downgraded to out after he was seen on the sideline with his pads off and his arm in a sling.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Other teams have shown interest in trading for Kuminga, but the Warriors have been reluctant to accept any sign-and-trade offers.—
Ricardo Klein,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Both characters struggle to forgive themselves for past mistakes and are reluctant to dive back into relationships.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
When an amateur true crime investigator arrives with the intention of tracking down the town's serial killer, the unlikely pair strike a truce to avoid being caught – and might just find a love story in their own madness.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Japanese women are unlikely to buy a shirt that shows a lot of cleavage.—
Lauren Collins,
New Yorker,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Gurrola’s parents were skeptical at first, but the store’s Dubai chocolate strawberry cups have sold well.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
15 Sep. 2025
-
The move, however, would need a constitutional amendment approved by 60 percent of voters—and some experts are skeptical of how the state's local governments would manage without property taxes.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
That time, a very disputable foul denied him.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
18 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Trump’s encouragement of Walker was enough to spur him into the race, though Republicans as a whole were hesitant, given Walker’s lack of experience and standing as an unknown quantity among GOP voters.—
Kimberly Ross,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Ty noted that some caregivers might be hesitant to open up about their caregiving experience in the workplace for fear of being passed over for promotions or other advancements.—
Madeline Mitchell,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Instead of clarity and a sense of financial empowerment, individuals experience costly missteps and are left unsure of where to find reliable guidance—eroding any trust in the mainstream financial system.—
Sandy Anderson,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
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These cases have raised concerns about overzealous responses from companies, and left many companies unsure of how to proceed.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Robinson's parents became suspicious after seeing surveillance footage published by law enforcement.—
Joshua Rhett Miller
Jesus Mesa
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
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Mutch gained his freedom in 2016, avoiding legal trouble until last May, when a cybertip about suspicious downloads led Solano County Sheriff’s investigators to his home, according to court records.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dubious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dubious. Accessed 19 Sep. 2025.
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