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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 Whatever one feels about redistricting, hyperbolic language about the threat Trump poses to democracy did not work in the 2024 election, so its potential impact now is questionable. Douglas Schoen, Oc Register, 22 Sep. 2025 At the same time, the Gen Z job crisis is colliding with the student debt crisis, making young people more reluctant to borrow massive amounts of money to obtain a degree with questionable value. Jason Ma, Fortune, 21 Sep. 2025 Bosa is now officially questionable to return with a knee injury. James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Sep. 2025 The next critical mistake was a combination of TCU’s inefficiency and a questionable decision by the officiating crew. Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for questionable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for questionable
Adjective
  • And without tangible support that’s tailored to today’s Ukrainian battlefield, even European reassurance forces would be of dubious value.
    ANDRIY ZAGORODNYUK, Foreign Affairs, 23 Sep. 2025
  • The case for including future public ownership investments in the policy mix, however, appears highly dubious.
    Alden Abbott, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Under an imperial decree, her captors become unlikely allies, guiding Jewish refugees through ambushes, shifting alliances and treacherous waters, while Sara confronts leadership, loyalty and love at a high cost.
    Ben Croll, Variety, 29 Sep. 2025
  • However, the game rights change is contingent on the larger ESPN-NFL deal passing Department of Justice review, which seems increasingly unlikely to come before the NFL plots its 2026 calendar.
    Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • What’s more debatable is whether the idea is probable, or even plausible.
    Alex Hutchinson, Outside, 15 Sep. 2025
  • What's next for mortgages, though, is debatable.
    Susan Tompor, Freep.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • That time, a very disputable foul denied him.
    Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Rams left guard Steve Avila (ankle) did not practice Friday and is listed as doubtful for Sunday’s road game against the Philadelphia Eagles (2-0).
    Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025
  • Greenlaw is now doubtful to suit up for Sunday’s matchup with the Chargers, leaving next week’s game against the Bengals as the last possible chance to validate Denver for not placing the veteran linebacker on IR at the start of the year.
    Luca Evans, Denver Post, 18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Jimmy Kimmel’s controversial remarks about Kirk’s killing prompted ABC to temporarily suspend his late-night TV show, which has prompted widespread concerns around free speech.
    Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 29 Sep. 2025
  • On Friday, the controversial author responded to a clip of comedian Intel Lady spoofing Watson’s recent conversation on the On Purpose With Jay Shetty podcast.
    Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • If the behavior becomes problematic, VCA Animal Hospitals recommends understanding why the dog is doing this and then resolving the issue directly.
    Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
  • From the outset, the program was problematic.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Arunachal Pradesh is a disputed region in the Himalayan mountains along the India-China border.
    Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 18 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Questionable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/questionable. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.

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