1
as in questionable
open to question or dispute
it's always debatable which college football team is really number one, since there's more than one ranking system
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in disputable
giving good reason for being doubted, questioned, or challenged
the debatable wisdom of going back for another helping from the buffet
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Recent Examples of debatable
Van Dijk’s goal against Arsenal was one, with Ibrahima Konate’s header against Wolverhampton Wanderers the other — although even that second one is debatable, given 30 seconds elapsed between Andy Robertson’s corner and the centre-back heading home.
—
Andy Jones, The Athletic, 29 Dec. 2024
The responsibility for Scope 3 emissions is debatable.
—Ian Dexter Palmer, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
The third example of potential self-harm is highly debatable as a safety violation.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
When asked by Kennedy if trans athletes are at an advantage, Baker said the idea was debatable.
—Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 18 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for debatable 
Andy Jones, The Athletic, 29 Dec. 2024
The responsibility for Scope 3 emissions is debatable.
—Ian Dexter Palmer, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
The third example of potential self-harm is highly debatable as a safety violation.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
When asked by Kennedy if trans athletes are at an advantage, Baker said the idea was debatable.
—Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 18 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for debatable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debatable
Adjective
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Watson was listed as a full participant and questionable for the game.—
Blair Kerkhoff,
Kansas City Star,
17 Jan. 2025
-
Carter was questionable because of left shoulder soreness.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacramento Bee,
17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Barack Obama faced criticism for the dubious legal rationale behind drone strikes targeting U.S. citizens deemed enemy combatants abroad.—
Victor Menaldo,
The Conversation,
16 Jan. 2025
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When Alyssa's slacker boyfriend steals their rent money, the girls race against the clock to get the funds back to avoid eviction from their dubious landlord, embarking on a series of chaotic escapades across Los Angeles.—
Jessica Wang,
EW.com,
16 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Natural saltwater pearls are arguable the rarest gems in the world.—
Anthony DeMarco,
Forbes,
2 Dec. 2024
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Lanthimos is many things — a champion absurdist, an arguable nihilist, an occasional edgelord, and an artist who has maintained a decidedly Euro sensibility despite having worked in English with Hollywood actors since 2015.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
30 Aug. 2024
Adjective
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Dana, the law professor, sees the contracts Weidner has signed with St. Petersburg and other cities as problematic for exactly that reason.—
Ben Wieder,
Miami Herald,
26 Jan. 2025
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Shedding these microbes onto an exercise mat versus a dumbbell is especially problematic, Tetro said, because exercise mats are like petri dishes.—
Melanie Radzicki McManus,
CNN,
25 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Flowers was listed as doubtful throughout the week and upgraded wide receiver Anthony Miller from the practice squad.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
19 Jan. 2025
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The injury report, where Flowers was listed as doubtful, ended any suspense.—
Jeff Zrebiec,
The Athletic,
18 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The guard told 911 dispatch that a suspicious vehicle — a dark SUV — had driven through his yard.—
Emma Steele,
CBS News,
26 Jan. 2025
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Editors’ Picks The four Israeli hostages released by Hamas on Saturday, who were dressed in military-style clothes, had been working as lookouts for Israel’s army, reporting on suspicious activity across the border, when they were captured.—
Patrick Kingsley,
New York Times,
25 Jan. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Debatable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debatable. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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