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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective questionable contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of questionable are doubtful, dubious, and problematic. While all these words mean "not affording assurance of the worth, soundness, or certainty of something," questionable may imply no more than the existence of doubt but usually suggests that the suspicions are well-grounded.

a man of questionable honesty

Where would doubtful be a reasonable alternative to questionable?

The words doubtful and questionable can be used in similar contexts, but doubtful implies little more than a lack of conviction or certainty.

doubtful about whether I said the right thing

In what contexts can dubious take the place of questionable?

While the synonyms dubious and questionable are close in meaning, dubious stresses suspicion, mistrust, or hesitation.

dubious about the practicality of the scheme

When is it sensible to use problematic instead of questionable?

The synonyms problematic and questionable are sometimes interchangeable, but problematic applies especially to things whose existence, meaning, fulfillment, or realization is highly uncertain.

whether the project will ever be finished is problematic

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 questionable Wide receiver Jauan Jennings is active after being questionable (ankle, ribs). Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 12 Oct. 2025 There were several questionable, controversial officiating calls, or non-calls, that went against Auburn. Seth Emerson, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025 Kelce got the scoring started for Kansas City in the first quarter, though the call on the field was a bit questionable. Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2025 Image courtesy of the researchers Bamboo plastic sounds like a compelling eco-friendly material for a variety of applications, but its questionable durability and recyclability leave a lot to be desired. Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 7 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for questionable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for questionable
Adjective
  • Sometimes, Wyeth’s work was described as bourgeois, betraying a desire for black ease and affluence, trading in a corrosive and politically dubious desire to see black people rich or at the very least in luxurious settings.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2025
  • That decision seems dubious, because Trader made one of the most damaging defensive plays of the game when he was juked out by Ladd McConkey on a play in which the Chargers receiver caught a 3-yard pass and ran another 40 to set up the game-winning field goal.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 13 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
  • That’s debatable, but the sweet, vanilla-forward coating and pop of salt on top turns ordinary pretzels into a yummy confection nonetheless.
    Jolene Thym, Mercury News, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Answer remains debatable, but swings with Miami’s 1-4 start.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • That time, a very disputable foul denied him.
    Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The lesser among them, the timorous, the doubtful, and the wavering, stood back, watching, waiting for some greater sign, savoring their doubts.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2025
  • The Rams will likely be without starting tight end Tyler Higbee (doubtful, hip) and right tackle Rob Havenstein (doubtful, ankle).
    Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • But in 2023, Meloni’s government struck an agreement with Albania – a non-EU country – to build controversial migrant detention centers and subvert the EU agreement.
    Chelsea Bailey, CNN Money, 19 Oct. 2025
  • Reese has become arguably the most controversial figure in women's basketball since then.
    Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • This lack of representation is problematic for people of different ancestries because genetic risk factors differ across populations.
    Rachel Nuwer, Scientific American, 14 Oct. 2025
  • As good as Oakley is, Trigg is on another tier and could prove problematic in the middle of the field.
    Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The disputed money appears to surround Jay-Z’s music-streaming app Tidal, based on her support of tweets from Barbz referencing the app, as seen by Complex.
    Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2025
  • How the court handles the disputed evidence—and whether federal agencies correct or stand by their initial narrative—could shape not only this prosecution but also the broader debate over the use of force and accountability in federal immigration enforcement operations in Chicago.
    Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Questionable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/questionable. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.

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