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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in disputable
open to question or dispute
a doubtful claim to the property
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of doubtful
Club captain Lewis Dunk is ruled out against Bournemouth for the third game running by a rib injury and Danny Welbeck is doubtful after a knock in training kept him out at Southampton.
—
Andy Naylor, The Athletic, 24 Feb. 2025
Skipper Lewis Dunk, deputy captain Danny Welbeck, and Dutch right-back Joel Veltman remain doubtful for tomorrow night’s home game against Bournemouth.
—Andy Naylor, The Athletic, 24 Feb. 2025
South Africans Kagiso Rabada and David Miller are also among the big names that will be missing, while Steven Smith has been retained by Freedom although his availability is doubtful given his international commitments.
—Tristan Lavalette, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2025
Zelensky is doubtful that Europe or another monitoring force alone is up to the task of securing any peace.
—Clare Sebastian, CNN, 13 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for doubtful
Andy Naylor, The Athletic, 24 Feb. 2025
Skipper Lewis Dunk, deputy captain Danny Welbeck, and Dutch right-back Joel Veltman remain doubtful for tomorrow night’s home game against Bournemouth.
—Andy Naylor, The Athletic, 24 Feb. 2025
South Africans Kagiso Rabada and David Miller are also among the big names that will be missing, while Steven Smith has been retained by Freedom although his availability is doubtful given his international commitments.
—Tristan Lavalette, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2025
Zelensky is doubtful that Europe or another monitoring force alone is up to the task of securing any peace.
—Clare Sebastian, CNN, 13 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for doubtful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for doubtful
Adjective
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Initially, as The Times previously reported, prison staff were unsure where to house the detainees or how best to keep them separate from other prisoners.—
Keri Blakinger,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Mar. 2025
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The share of respondents who were unsure shrunk from 31% to 25%.—
Brendan Rascius,
Miami Herald,
28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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More news: Latest Comments From Mike Budenholzer Prove Suns Made Giant Mistake Hiring Him The news broke after Booker made some questionable comments about the importance of communication on the court.—
Russel Honoré,
Newsweek,
6 Mar. 2025
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Jun Reina, a former general manager of Capital Public Radio and a central figure in the station’s financial woes, has largely remained silent as questions mounted over a scathing audit’s findings of questionable expenses and financial mismanagement.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacramento Bee,
6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Furthermore, with Florian Wirtz walking off the pitch with an injury today, a Leverkusen comeback is even more unlikely.—
Manuel Veth,
Forbes,
8 Mar. 2025
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Despite the grievances and the alarmingly high number, Canadian dairy is not a significant export, and a reciprocal 241% tariff on milk is unlikely to do significant economic damage to either country.—
David Goldman,
CNN,
7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Sophisticated buyers may naturally be more skeptical.—
Ryan Hutchins,
Forbes,
6 Mar. 2025
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Be skeptical of unsolicited contact: Remember that the IRS will never contact you via phone, email, text or social media to demand immediate payment or request personal information.—
Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report,
Fox News,
6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Then, in early 2025, a certain South African’s activity on social media, the acquisition of Twitter, a frenzied foray into politics, a few dubious salutes, and now the brand is imploding.—
Peter Lyon,
Forbes,
7 Mar. 2025
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The material cost of this territory of dubious value has been shocking.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Again, if the goal is to increase American manufacturing jobs, that's debatable.—
Nathaniel Rakich,
ABC News,
13 Feb. 2025
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Whether Chappelle needed this advice or not is debatable, given that Chappelle is undoubtedly a seasoned performer.—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
20 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The Context Since Putin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, a series of mysterious deaths have claimed the lives of prominent Russian figures, including tycoons, businessmen and oil executives—many of whom reportedly fell from windows under suspicious circumstances.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
3 Mar. 2025
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This is one reason why events of recent years have gained the attention of the world's government as Baltic Sea cables have been repeatedly cut under suspicious circumstances – especially around Finland and Sweden.—
David Szondy,
New Atlas,
1 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The ripple effect from this trade should impact two areas: The uncertain QB situation and George Pickens.—
Michael-Shawn Dugar,
The Athletic,
10 Mar. 2025
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Despite an uncertain future, the theater’s team is determined to continue their art and their wartime volunteering.—
Illia Novikov,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Doubtful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/doubtful. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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