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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 Perhaps Musk didn’t care whether a dubious video accusing Disney World employees of being pedophiles was true. Jacob Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 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 The Rockies were blanked for the 18th time, extending their dubious record for most times being shut out in a season. Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 28 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dubious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dubious
Adjective
  • While the talk leading up to the NLDS was about the Dodgers' questionable bullpen, it's been the Phillies' relievers who have been unable to quiet the Dodgers' bats.
    Noah Camras, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
  • The chain has also recently reformulated its Member’s Mark brand to replace artificial food dyes and questionable ingredients like high fructose corn syrup, preservatives, aspartame, and flavorings with natural options.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Her own dentist was reluctant to talk to her about it.
    Laura Trujillo, USA Today, 7 Oct. 2025
  • But employers are still reluctant to part with workers given the lessons from the Covid pandemic, when a rash of layoffs in the early stages was followed by the monumental task of refilling those jobs.
    Jeff Cox, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Instead, multiple Chiefs missed a chance at a pick, and the Jaguars scored a touchdown after given the unlikely reprieve.
    Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Okay, take a flier on Bourne if Ricky Pearsall and Jauan Jennings are out again, but that sounds unlikely.
    Jake Ciely, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Burnett urged those who received the calls to stay skeptical of anyone claiming to be a deputy and to not engage in conversation with them.
    David Clarey, jsonline.com, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Some fans accepted the clarification, while others remained skeptical.
    Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • That time, a very disputable foul denied him.
    Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Hamilton was at first hesitant about the fundraiser, especially since there are various ones set up for the victims and others.
    Leah Olajide, Freep.com, 3 Oct. 2025
  • However, providers might be hesitant to schedule patients covered by Medicare if the shutdown drags on over a long period of time.
    Simon F. Haeder, The Conversation, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • As this section is still early on in the design phase, the leaders are unsure about how long the road will be shut down, if at all.
    Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Oct. 2025
  • With Feyenoord’s defenders unsure whether to engage, Rogers had time and space to drive.
    Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Pyongyang has long been accused of conducting suspicious transfers of goods between ships in the East China Sea, which is bordered by China, the Korean Peninsula, Japan and Taiwan.
    Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Digital asset treasury companies face SEC and FINRA investigations for suspicious trading patterns around crypto announcements.
    Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 6 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Dubious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dubious. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.

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