QUESTIONABLE Synonyms: 119 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

questionable

adjective

ˈkwes-chə-nə-bəl

Definition of questionable next

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

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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

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as in debatable

open to question or dispute whether it will rain today or not is questionable

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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 Sentences

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Recent Examples of questionable The decision comes as Caring for Denver faces scrutiny about questionable spending of the city's 0.25% sales tax dedicated to mental health and substance abuse services. —

John Frank, Axios, 10 Dec. 2024 Recommended The Monitor's View A questionable pardon’s deeper resonance The radical populist hopes to profit from his budding bromances with President-elect Donald Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk. —

Isabel Debre, The Christian Science Monitor, 10 Dec. 2024 The Chicago Bears have listed wide receiver DJ Moore and running back D'Andre Swift as questionable for Sunday's Week 14 game against the San Francisco 49ers due to quad injuries, per Ari Meirov. —

Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2024 Some people also find drinking tap water questionable, so this is a clean and techy way to hydrate. —

Andrew Watman, WIRED, 5 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for questionable

Recent Examples of Synonyms for questionable

Adjective

And at the Christmas party, with the flow of dubious punch, (that no one in their right mind would serve at any other time of the year), after about 9 or 10 p.m., the man hugging becomes a competitive sport.

Louis J. Esterhazy, WWD, 8 Dec. 2024
Though dubious in concept, the effect is peculiarly, if superficially, enticing.

Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 19 Dec. 2024