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
Relevance
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
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
The company continues to focus on expanding its loan portfolio and maintaining strong asset quality, with no loans classified as substandard or doubtful at year-end.
—
Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 28 Mar. 2025
Jamal Murray’s injury Nuggets guard Jamal Murray is doubtful due to right hamstring imflammation after missing the past five games.
—Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 9 Apr. 2025
While Carvana has posted upside earnings surprises in the past, the investor was doubtful that will be repeated.
—Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 8 Apr. 2025
But Sumner is doubtful that Newsom's directive will go anywhere toward helping the state.
—Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for doubtful
Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 28 Mar. 2025
Jamal Murray’s injury Nuggets guard Jamal Murray is doubtful due to right hamstring imflammation after missing the past five games.
—Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 9 Apr. 2025
While Carvana has posted upside earnings surprises in the past, the investor was doubtful that will be repeated.
—Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 8 Apr. 2025
But Sumner is doubtful that Newsom's directive will go anywhere toward helping the state.
—Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for doubtful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for doubtful
Adjective
-
Overall, researchers are unsure why diabetes increases the risk of ADHD and other neurodevelopmental conditions.—
Sherri Gordon,
Parents,
18 Apr. 2025
-
Some are unsure if their application is still valid.—
Shahar Ziv,
Forbes.com,
16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The data shows high growth but questionable profitability: AI funding reached a record $100.4 billion in 2024, with mega-rounds accounting for 69% of funding.—
Sajal Singh,
Forbes.com,
23 Apr. 2025
-
Whether that trough also brings rain with it is far more questionable.—
Rick Hurd,
Mercury News,
22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
An eruption is unlikely for now Typically, gases like water and carbon dioxide can separate and form bubbles during the rise and decompression of magma.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2025
-
Newsom has also asked foreign nations to exempt California from retaliatory tariffs, which experts say is unlikely.—
Grant Stringer,
Mercury News,
25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Listen, many Gomez fans were skeptical when the singer confirmed her relationship with the prolific music producer back in December 2023.—
Emily Tannenbaum,
Glamour,
25 Apr. 2025
-
Some are skeptical given his slight wingspan and arm length and wonder if a move to left guard may eventually be necessary.—
Chad Graff,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Given the volume of legally dubious activity, some of the administration’s unlawful actions will inevitably advance before litigation can stop them.—
Mariano-Florentino Cuéllar,
Foreign Affairs,
18 Apr. 2025
-
In The Hulk, Ross uses dubious means to hunt down Bruce Banner.—
Eliana Dockterman,
Time,
17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
What’s less debatable is that CNN reporter Donie O’Sullivan believed that Lorenz provided valuable perspective.—
Noah Rothman,
National Review,
14 Apr. 2025
-
What’s not debatable is that the workload used to be far higher.—
Bruce Schoenfeld Robert Fass Tanya Pérez Brian St. Pierre,
New York Times,
26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
This kind of reverse inference is the same logic your bank uses when flagging suspicious activity.—
Christer Holloman,
Forbes.com,
18 Apr. 2025
-
However, police did not treat Griffin's death as suspicious.—
Michael Nied,
People.com,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
And in his first year as coach, Glenn won’t have any uncertain media moments that Rodgers regularly instigated.—
Bob Raissman,
New York Daily News,
26 Apr. 2025
-
Across the subsequent five years, there have only been two occasions when Soucek’s future seemed uncertain.—
Roshane Thomas,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Doubtful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/doubtful. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share