DOUBTFUL Synonyms: 144 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'doubtful' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of doubtful are dubious , problematic , and questionable . While all these words mean "not affording assurance of the worth, soundness, or certainty of something," doubtful implies little more than a lack of conviction or certainty. // doubtful about whether I said the right thing

Q: When is 'dubious' a more appropriate choice than 'doubtful'?

The words dubious and doubtful are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, dubious stresses suspicion, mistrust, or hesitation. // dubious about the practicality of the scheme

Q: When is it sensible to use 'problematic' instead of 'doubtful'?

While the synonyms problematic and doubtful are close in meaning, problematic applies especially to things whose existence, meaning, fulfillment, or realization is highly uncertain. // whether the project will ever be finished is problematic

Q: When would 'questionable' be a good substitute for 'doubtful'?

While in some cases nearly identical to doubtful , questionable may imply no more than the existence of doubt but usually suggests that the suspicions are well-grounded. // a man of questionable honesty

doubtful

adjective

ˈdau̇t-fəl

Definition of doubtful next

as in unsure

not feeling sure about the truth, wisdom, or trustworthiness of someone or something he was doubtful about the decision to complete the project despite its mounting problems

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in questionable

giving good reason for being doubted, questioned, or challenged the election results were highly doubtful, so an investigation was begun

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as in unlikely

not likely to be true or to occur our winning the championship increasingly looks like a doubtful outcome

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as in disputable

open to question or dispute a doubtful claim to the property

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective doubtful contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of doubtful are dubious, problematic, and questionable. While all these words mean "not affording assurance of the worth, soundness, or certainty of something," doubtful implies little more than a lack of conviction or certainty.

doubtful about whether I said the right thing

When is dubious a more appropriate choice than doubtful?

The words dubious and doubtful are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, dubious stresses suspicion, mistrust, or hesitation.

dubious about the practicality of the scheme

When is it sensible to use problematic instead of doubtful?

While the synonyms problematic and doubtful are close in meaning, problematic applies especially to things whose existence, meaning, fulfillment, or realization is highly uncertain.

whether the project will ever be finished is problematic

When would questionable be a good substitute for doubtful?

While in some cases nearly identical to doubtful, questionable may imply no more than the existence of doubt but usually suggests that the suspicions are well-grounded.

a man of questionable honesty

Examples 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 doubtful Cummins will lead the 15-member preliminary squad after doubtful concerns about the star bowler of Australia not joining the Champions squad due to an ankle injury. —

Paras J. Haji, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025 Jenny Rowland-Shea, director of public lands policy for the Center for American Progress, a liberal think tank, said the timing of Biden’s designations was key, given that Trump’s record on public lands left many doubtful that monument campaigns would advance during his second term. —

Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2025 Josh Richardson is listed as doubtful because of right heel inflammation. —

Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 12 Jan. 2025 Color us doubtful of that explanation, which would be a little more believable if either Trump or Alito had given us much reason to take them at their word or assume good faith. —

New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 11 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for doubtful

Recent Examples of Synonyms for doubtful

Adjective

What the market is unsure about is how the impending policy mix of tariffs, immigration restrictions and deregulation will alter this interplay of rates, inflation, GDP growth and risk appetites.

— Michael Santoli, CNBC, 11 Jan. 2025
While Ryan is unsure whether her studio apartment is still intact, the school she was supposed to start teaching at next Monday — Palisades Charter High School — has been badly damaged.

— Peter Breen, Chicago Tribune, 10 Jan. 2025