1
as in questionable
giving good reason for being doubted, questioned, or challenged
any letter bearing the signature of Geronimo would be of dubious authenticity, to say the least
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in reluctant
slow to begin or proceed with a course of action because of doubts or uncertainty
I'm dubious about our plan to go hang gliding without having had any training
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in unlikely
not likely to be true or to occur
made the dubious claim of being of royal blood
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in skeptical
not feeling sure about the truth, wisdom, or trustworthiness of someone or something
dubious about a diet that claims I can eat all I want and still lose weight
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dubious
And a few of them, including Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Amy Coney Barrett, appeared quite dubious of this legal argument.
—
Ian Millhiser, Vox, 4 Mar. 2025
Jerrold’s accompanying text is much more strident, decrying the moral failings that lead to imprisonment and waxing dubious on the value of prison reform, rehabilitation efforts, and charity.
—Sarah C. Schaefer, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2025
Even the most dubious of films often features a performance or a cameo that hits home.
—Peter Rainer, The Christian Science Monitor, 27 Feb. 2025
During that time, Trump, with the help of Elon Musk’s legally dubious DOGE task force, has ransacked the federal civil service in search of any programs that hint at diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).
—Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dubious
Ian Millhiser, Vox, 4 Mar. 2025
Jerrold’s accompanying text is much more strident, decrying the moral failings that lead to imprisonment and waxing dubious on the value of prison reform, rehabilitation efforts, and charity.
—Sarah C. Schaefer, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2025
Even the most dubious of films often features a performance or a cameo that hits home.
—Peter Rainer, The Christian Science Monitor, 27 Feb. 2025
During that time, Trump, with the help of Elon Musk’s legally dubious DOGE task force, has ransacked the federal civil service in search of any programs that hint at diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).
—Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dubious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dubious
Adjective
-
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
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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
Adjective
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Here is another gloomy spaceship, abounding in grim experiments and hostile personalities, with Pattinson once more playing a reluctant space traveller.—
Justin Chang,
The New Yorker,
28 Feb. 2025
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Try Audiobooks--Audiobooks improve pronunciation, fluency and comprehension while making stories more engaging for reluctant readers.—
Linetta Jackson Special to the Democrat-Gazette,
arkansasonline.com,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
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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The governor’s ask is unlikely to get any traction this session.—
Romy Ellenbogen,
Miami Herald,
7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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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
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Sophisticated buyers may naturally be more skeptical.—
Ryan Hutchins,
Forbes,
6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Joey’s still hesitant about Monica’s sister, Nicolle.—
Jennifer Zhan,
Vulture,
7 Mar. 2025
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But with Trump’s tariffs threatening imports from Mexico, Canada, and China, Target could face additional challenges as consumers grow more hesitant.—
Francisco Velasquez,
Quartz,
4 Mar. 2025
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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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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Chief Hafer said that Burns had directed his attention to several suspicious fires, and that an official investigation has been conducted during the past two weeks, but without success. ...—
The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette,
arkansasonline.com,
1 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Holiday and Porzingis had been listed as doubtful after sitting out the previous two games.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
5 Mar. 2025
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Boston's Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday are both doubtful for this game, and Jaylen Brown is questionable with a knee injury.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
2 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dubious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dubious. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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