FISHY Synonyms: 48 Similar and Opposite Words

fishy

adjective

ˈfi-shē

Definition of fishy

as in questionable

giving good reason for being doubted, questioned, or challenged something's fishy about the way he's acting

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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 fishy Some describe cod liver oil as having a fishy, oily, and slightly bitter flavor. — Lauren Panoff, Verywell Health, 29 June 2026 Clearly, something fishy’s going on. — Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 24 June 2026 Something was a little fishy in Slippery Rock. — Christopher Hooks, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026 There’s no strange aftertaste, no fishy flavor, and no texture issues. — Rita Templeton, Flow Space, 15 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for fishy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fishy

Adjective

Banks are happy to oblige, issuing loans and credit with high interest rates to low-income individuals with questionable credit ratings, which increases the likelihood of loan defaults and bankruptcies.

— Eric Khant, Sun Sentinel, 8 Sep. 2026
Senior wide receiver Jordan Dwyer remains questionable, while senior edge rusher Zach Chapman was ruled out by head coach Sonny Dykes on Tuesday.

— Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of questionable

Adjective

But the unyielding scrutiny over dubious associations doesn’t cut both ways.

— Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
When his distant goddaughter Helena (Phoebe Waller-Bridge) shows up with a dubious interest in researching the Dial, Indy is begrudgingly wrangled into One Last Ride.

— Frank DeRuggiero, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of dubious

Adjective

Glendale police received multiple calls about a suspicious male adult, with officers first responding to a retail store in the 1500 block of Glenoaks Boulevard.

— Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026
By the time something appears suspicious, causality is fragmented across systems, logs and identities.

— Brian Contos, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of suspicious

Adjective

But revenue coming in at double the projections is not disputable and cannot happen if the tax base runs away.

— Teresa Ghilarducci, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
However, disputable refereeing decisions, especially in the matches against Italy and Spain, led to allegations that South Korea may have benefited from favorable officiating.

— Andrew Pereira, Encyclopedia Britannica, 18 June 2026

Definition of disputable

Adjective

The lack of an alternative striker to Haaland could be problematic if the 26-year-old misses any significant period, and given Trafford played an important role in City winning two domestic cups last season, Rulli will have a lot to live up to.

— Sam Lee, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
As the first episode begins, the exultant staffers arrive at work only to find out the office in mourning over the death of a beloved Softees salesman, whose problematic personal life will make the writing of the obit a nightmare of an assignment.

— Julie Hinds, Freep.com, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of problematic

Adjective

Gray Interiors Named Most Controversial Home Trend Topping the list for most controversial design trends is the ever-debatable millennial gray.

— Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 Aug. 2026
Plain Glossy White and Round Plates This is highly debatable even among our experts.

— Sheila Kim, The Spruce, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of debatable

Browse Nearby Words

fishwifes

fishy

fissure

See all Nearby Words

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“Fishy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fishy. Accessed 9 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of fishy

adjective

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