1
as in questionable
open to question or dispute
it's always debatable which college football team is really number one, since there's more than one ranking system
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in disputable
giving good reason for being doubted, questioned, or challenged
the debatable wisdom of going back for another helping from the buffet
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of debatable
Based on debatable legal claims, President Barack Obama continued certain health insurance subsidies under the Affordable Care Act even after Congress denied appropriations for them.
—
Zachary Price, The Conversation, 14 Feb. 2025
Again, if the goal is to increase American manufacturing jobs, that's debatable.
—Nathaniel Rakich, ABC News, 13 Feb. 2025
While the fact sheet has been rescinded, the underlying substantive question of Title IX’s potential application to the settlement remains a debatable topic.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 12 Feb. 2025
The history of executive clemency is also marked by examples that have slipped from memory despite being just as debatable or, in some cases, quirky.
—David Wharton, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for debatable
Zachary Price, The Conversation, 14 Feb. 2025
Again, if the goal is to increase American manufacturing jobs, that's debatable.
—Nathaniel Rakich, ABC News, 13 Feb. 2025
While the fact sheet has been rescinded, the underlying substantive question of Title IX’s potential application to the settlement remains a debatable topic.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 12 Feb. 2025
The history of executive clemency is also marked by examples that have slipped from memory despite being just as debatable or, in some cases, quirky.
—David Wharton, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for debatable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debatable
Adjective
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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
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Whether that trough also brings rain with it is far more questionable.—
Rick Hurd,
Mercury News,
22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Doctors prescribe it to ease symptoms of testosterone deficiency — among them weight gain, muscle loss and depression — but dubious clinics also sell the therapy as a cure-all for a crisis of masculinity.—
The New York Times,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Apr. 2025
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In his second term, the president has fewer people around him who try to keep dubious sources away.—
Michael D. Shear,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Of course, the biggest need on that list is an arguable one.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Apr. 2025
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The team has identified a number of arguable problems with the Modell Law that could convince the courts to side with the team.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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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
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Simon Callow is a new addition as a problematic billionaire funding Metropolitan Ballet Theater, as is David Haig, who plays its ailing artistic director.—
Emily Zemler,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
Adjective
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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
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However, police did not treat Griffin's death as suspicious.—
Michael Nied,
People.com,
18 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Debatable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debatable. Accessed 26 Apr. 2025.
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