Synonyms of questionable

questionable

adjective

ˈkwes-chə-nə-bəl 

1

as in dubious

giving good reason for being doubted, questioned, or challenged

the runner's unexpected first-place finish is questionable, so a drug test has been ordered

Synonyms & Similar Words

• dubious
• disputable
• problematical
• problematic
• debatable
• suspicious
• doubtful
• suspect
• shaky
• ambiguous
• alleged
• fishy
• unclear
• equivocal
• shady
• dodgy
• queer
• dubitable
• doubtable
• unlikely
• weak
• uncertain
• moot
• supposed
• improbable
• undetermined
• flimsy
• so-called
• undecided
• open
• far-fetched

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• certain
• unquestionable
• indisputable
• sure
• undeniable
• undoubted
• incontestable
• unproblematic
• indubitable
• decisive
• definitive
• obvious
• questionless
• positive
• clear
• hands-down
• open-and-shut

2

as in unlikely

not likely to be true or to occur

it's questionable that he will show up tonight considering all the bad weather we're having

Synonyms & Similar Words

• unlikely
• dubious
• doubtful
• improbable
• flimsy
• odd
• bizarre
• far-fetched
• impossible
• incredible
• implausible
• unbelievable
• ridiculous
• unapt
• inconceivable
• fantastical
• unthinkable
• absurd
• unimaginable
• fantastic
• foolish
• outlandish
• nonsensical
• unreal
• insane
• preposterous
• crazy
• outside
• remote
• slight
• wild

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• probable
• likely
• possible
• plausible
• potential
• conceivable
• credible
• earthly
• believable
• liable
• imaginable

3

as in debatable

open to question or dispute

whether it will rain today or not is questionable

Synonyms & Similar Words

• debatable
• disputable
• doubtful
• controversial
• disputed
• ambiguous
• arguable
• problematical
• debated
• moot
• negotiable
• uncertain
• problematic
• speculative
• dubious
• issuable
• controvertible
• doubtable
• iffy
• hypothetical
• inconclusive
• theoretic
• shaky
• theoretical
• refutable
• academical
• contradictable
• indecisive
• academic
• equivocal

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• certain
• positive
• unquestionable
• indisputable
• sure
• undeniable
• incontestable
• unanswerable
• settled
• incontrovertible
• indubitable
• accomplished
• unarguable
• irrefutable
• definite
• unchallengeable
• irrefragable
• inarguable
• undebatable
• questionless
• unequivocal
• unambiguous
• clear
• decisive
• conclusive
• hands-down
• absolute
• undisputed
• uncontested

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

Examples of questionable in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

These have questionable or no effectiveness, says Owen. —Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 29 Oct. 2024

He was listed as questionable with the same injury against the Orlando Magic over the weekend, but ultimately played 25 minutes in the win. —Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2024

In stage two the child drives the car, but parents can override any questionable decisions. —Harvard Business Review, 29 Oct. 2024

Also questionable were safety George Odum (knee) and cornerback Deommodore Lenoir (illness). —Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 27 Oct. 2024