1
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in questionable
giving good reason for being doubted, questioned, or challenged
the election results were highly doubtful, so an investigation was begun
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in disputable
open to question or dispute
a doubtful claim to the property
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of doubtful
After delivering several flops since its inception in 2019, such as Napoleon and Killers of the Flower Moon, the future of Apple's foray into movies remained doubtful.
—
Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 July 2025
Ticketing companies show support for Donald Trump's executive order, others prove to be doubtful of 'meaningful change'
Live Nation, parent company of Ticketmaster, issued a statement supporting Trump's executive order and calling for a cap on resale prices.
—Diana Leyva, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
The bill is doubtful to get support from any Senate Democrat, but under special Senate rules, only 51 Republicans are needed to sign-off and avoid a filibuster.
—Savannah Kuchar, USA Today, 28 June 2025
Whether Afshar could have solved this is highly doubtful, since the problem rests heavily with Musk’s own decisions.
—Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for doubtful
Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 July 2025
Ticketing companies show support for Donald Trump's executive order, others prove to be doubtful of 'meaningful change'
Live Nation, parent company of Ticketmaster, issued a statement supporting Trump's executive order and calling for a cap on resale prices.
—Diana Leyva, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
The bill is doubtful to get support from any Senate Democrat, but under special Senate rules, only 51 Republicans are needed to sign-off and avoid a filibuster.
—Savannah Kuchar, USA Today, 28 June 2025
Whether Afshar could have solved this is highly doubtful, since the problem rests heavily with Musk’s own decisions.
—Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for doubtful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for doubtful
Adjective
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Local media outlets earlier in the day said that Ishiba was unsure of his future and would take a call on whether to continue as prime minister in August.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
23 July 2025
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If the Dodgers are unable to make a deal with Cleveland, there are other options on the market, but many teams are unsure of their path leading up to the trade deadline.—
Hunter Mulholland,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 July 2025
Adjective
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Radically Simplify Recruitment & Marketing The vast machinery of admissions – glossy brochures, armies of recruiters crisscrossing the country, sophisticated enrollment management systems – consumes enormous resources with questionable ROI.—
Scott White,
Forbes.com,
28 July 2025
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And Manu Garcia was added to the injury list as questionable late in the week, as well.—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
27 July 2025
Adjective
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So many kids under age 13 already have phones, and this study is unlikely to result in parents taking their devices away, no matter how upsetting the findings may be.—
Melissa Willets,
Parents,
30 July 2025
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Even Loeb admits that 3I/ATLAS being alien technology is unlikely.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
30 July 2025
Adjective
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Some students might be tempted to argue against it entirely, assuming that admissions officers will favor this kind of response or be skeptical of those who express too favorable views of the technology.—
Christopher Rim,
Forbes.com,
30 July 2025
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That made some residents skeptical because no additions or renovations to the University Building are expected to be part of the development.—
Richard Requena,
Chicago Tribune,
29 July 2025
Adjective
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But experts tell Fortune these employment disclosures are ethically dubious and have potential for legislative pushback.—
Nino Paoli,
Fortune,
25 July 2025
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On July 1, Paramount agreed to pay $16 million toward Trump’s future presidential library to resolve the president’s legally dubious lawsuit against CBS News.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
24 July 2025
Adjective
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However, whether or not this type of use has less impact on social life or mental health is debatable.—
Kelly Burch Published,
Verywell Health,
21 July 2025
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While the usefulness of AI features may be debatable, years of OS and software support are not, which gives Samsung the decisive edge.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
12 July 2025
Adjective
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Turquoise Alerts are for missing endangered persons under 65 in suspicious circumstances, while Silver Alerts are for those 65+ or with cognitive disabilities.—
Wren Smetana,
AZCentral.com,
25 July 2025
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Cops said an investigation began when a woman who had recently paid for a Chuck E. Cheese birthday party noticed about $100 worth of suspicious charges on her credit card, the Democrat reported.—
Joseph Wilkinson,
New York Daily News,
24 July 2025
Adjective
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The shift is rapid, relentless, and, for millions of Americans, deeply uncertain.—
John Hope Bryant,
Time,
31 July 2025
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Alexander Isak is training individually at former club Real Sociedad with his future at Newcastle United uncertain.—
Guillermo Rai,
New York Times,
31 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Doubtful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/doubtful. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
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