questionable

adjective

ˈkwes-chə-nə-bəl How to pronounce questionable (audio)
Definition of questionablenext
1
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in debatable
open to question or dispute whether it will rain today or not is questionable

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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

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 questionable Rim-protecting center Isaiah Stewart is listed as questionable with right knee inflammation going into Monday night’s Game 2 against the Knicks at Madison Square Garden. —Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 20 Apr. 2025 The news also comes after Prince William made a questionable decision to hire his mother, Princess Diana’s divorce lawyers. —Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 19 Apr. 2025 That the second part is questionable—regarding how women see themselves, at least—is a positive development. —Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 15 Apr. 2025 Wiggins was listed as questionable on the injury report before being upgraded to available. —Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for questionable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for questionable
  1. dubious
  2. unlikely
  3. debatable
  4. doubtful
  5. problematic
  6. controversial
  7. suspicious
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
Definition of dubious
Adjective
  • Matt Shaw was 1-for-13 in his first four games at Iowa, so the rookie who started in Japan is unlikely to return from Des Moines any time soon.
    — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Yet such clashes are unlikely as regular-season games in the U.S.
    — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025
Definition of unlikely
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
Definition of debatable
Adjective
  • But the official was doubtful there were many who would want to take the job at a Pentagon that is in such disarray.
    — Quil Lawrence, NPR, 25 Apr. 2025
  • The winner’s kids were equally doubtful, the man told lottery officials, so the man scanned the ticket to prove his million-dollar win was real.
    — Kate Linderman, Kansas City Star, 22 Apr. 2025
Definition of doubtful
Adjective
  • For years, Chicago Public School officials would send dozens of names of problematic employees to monthly board meetings for their dismissals to be signed off on.
    — Nell Salzman, Chicago Tribune, 18 Apr. 2025
  • The Emilia Pérez star courted controversy after past problematic posts resurfaced.
    — Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Definition of problematic
Adjective
  • Her appointment is the latest wrinkle in the ongoing legal dispute over Castillo’s controversial removal from office on Feb. 18, when the results of the city’s residency investigation were revealed to civic leaders in a closed-door meeting.
    — Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Now, the Steelers have made their decision on Sanders, and elected to pass on the controversial Colorado star.
    — Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Apr. 2025
Definition of controversial
Adjective
  • What consumers can do is consider an identity theft protection service, which scours social media, the Internet and the dark web for your personal information and alerts you about any suspicious activity.
    — Ryley Amond, CNBC, 18 Apr. 2025
  • This kind of reverse inference is the same logic your bank uses when flagging suspicious activity.
    — Christer Holloman, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of suspicious

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question
questionable
questionableness
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Cite this Entry

“Questionable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/questionable. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.

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