Definition of questionablenext
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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 Indianapolis’ questionable pass rush, which has only one proven starting defensive end in 2024 first-round pick Laiatu Latu, will also be put to the test. James Boyd, New York Times, 15 May 2026 Collectively, the report claims that a years-long pattern of questionable purchases raises the possibility of criminal or civil liability not only for whoever made the purchases, but for those who approved them. Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 14 May 2026 With her career flashing before her eyes, Anne begins using questionable tactics to save her film. Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 12 May 2026 But just for how long is more questionable. Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 12 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for questionable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for questionable
Adjective
  • Lepoutre said Chapiron’s project is inspired by real cases in France involving young women who set themselves up as informal practitioners, offering discounted Botox and injections with dubious products.
    Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 13 May 2026
  • The administration, though, is gearing up to unleash a slew of other levies under the auspices of a different law that many experts see as less legally dubious than the 10% tariff and the ones the Supreme Court reversed.
    Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 13 May 2026
Adjective
  • The collapse of the government is unlikely to significantly affect Latvia’s foreign policy, as all mainstream parties are some variant of pro-Ukraine and anti-Russia.
    Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 15 May 2026
  • This is a true unlikely bedfellows situation, driven almost entirely by Lenya’s concern for his wife and son, who are in their government’s crosshairs.
    Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 15 May 2026
Adjective
  • Even if the exact rankings are debatable (franchise revenue data is notoriously patchy), the scale is not.
    Bobby Ghosh, Time, 7 May 2026
  • Yet if Mars’ execution is nearly impossible to criticize, his choices as curator of the evening are more debatable.
    Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Speech — Intimidation as censorship The First Amendment protects disputable speech, not agreeable.
    Brielle Miller, Baltimore Sun, 9 Mar. 2026
  • That disputable appraisal turned a few heads, and people began peppering the bot for further remarks on Musk’s physical prowess.
    Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 20 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Nearly two decades later, blockchains and cryptocurrency have become a ubiquitous feature of our lives, if of still doubtful real value.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 May 2026
  • On the injury front, Vanderbilt was officially scratched before the game with his pinky finger dislocation after being listed as doubtful.
    Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 8 May 2026
Adjective
  • The pet trade has become somewhat problematic, Marchand said.
    Alina Hartounian, NPR, 18 May 2026
  • What kind of developer puts his money into an indie documentary that might give his business-as-usual peers — not to mention investors, luxury condo buyers and other beneficiaries of Miami’s prolonged but problematic and plainly inequitable real-estate boom — a conniption?
    Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 18 May 2026
Adjective
  • By then, Leonard Jeffries was one of the most controversial college professors in the country.
    Jason Zengerle, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
  • In his typical spare and deliberate style, Romanian director Cristian Mungiu has crafted yet another Palme d’Or-worthy film that fearlessly treads into controversial issues in our society but pointedly doesn’t take sides.
    Pete Hammond, Deadline, 18 May 2026
Adjective
  • Anyone who suspects their card was skimmed should contact their bank immediately, freeze or replace the card, monitor transactions, and report the suspicious pump to the station, police, and the FBI’s IC3.
    Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026
  • But guidelines seek to balance the benefits of catching cancer early with possible harms, such as stress and pain from investigating suspicious spots that don't turn out to be cancerous.
    ABC News, ABC News, 16 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Questionable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/questionable. Accessed 20 May. 2026.

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