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
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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
Van Dijk’s goal against Arsenal was one, with Ibrahima Konate’s header against Wolverhampton Wanderers the other — although even that second one is debatable, given 30 seconds elapsed between Andy Robertson’s corner and the centre-back heading home.
—
Andy Jones, The Athletic, 29 Dec. 2024
The responsibility for Scope 3 emissions is debatable.
—Ian Dexter Palmer, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
The third example of potential self-harm is highly debatable as a safety violation.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
When asked by Kennedy if trans athletes are at an advantage, Baker said the idea was debatable.
—Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 18 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for debatable 
Andy Jones, The Athletic, 29 Dec. 2024
The responsibility for Scope 3 emissions is debatable.
—Ian Dexter Palmer, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
The third example of potential self-harm is highly debatable as a safety violation.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
When asked by Kennedy if trans athletes are at an advantage, Baker said the idea was debatable.
—Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 18 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for debatable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debatable
Adjective
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Ben Simmons is questionable with lower back soreness.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacramento Bee,
27 Jan. 2025
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However, the most questionable penalty came in the third quarter, during a play where Mahomes was attempting to escape the Texans' defense.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
25 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Many contained alcohol, cocaine, morphine, or other active ingredients that ranged from dubious to dangerous.—
Shayla Love,
The Atlantic,
30 Jan. 2025
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The vast majority of meme coins launched are dubious.—
Maximilian Brichta,
The Conversation,
30 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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But the rest of the league didn’t need the arguable title favorites to find that help.—
Fred Katz,
The Athletic,
24 Jan. 2025
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While Musk repeated his gesture only twice, there is an arguable similarity, regardless of Musk's intention.—
John Yoo and John Shu,
Newsweek,
23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Dana, the law professor, sees the contracts Weidner has signed with St. Petersburg and other cities as problematic for exactly that reason.—
Ben Wieder,
Miami Herald,
26 Jan. 2025
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The parallel plotlines involving Ali’s possible descendants and problematic antecedents, including a father (Ercan Kesal) who seems to be particularly abusive towards his wife, collide in highly unusual ways during the movie’s volatile second half.—
Jordan Mintzer,
The Hollywood Reporter,
25 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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But the eleventh-hour revelations caused increasing distress for Democrats already distrustful of Pete Hegseth and doubtful of his ability to lead the massive agency.—
Al Weaver,
The Hill,
21 Jan. 2025
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Yet, court watchers are doubtful the justices will overturn a lower court’s decision upholding the law.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA TODAY,
9 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The guard told 911 dispatch that a suspicious vehicle — a dark SUV — had driven through his yard.—
Emma Steele,
CBS News,
26 Jan. 2025
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Editors’ Picks The four Israeli hostages released by Hamas on Saturday, who were dressed in military-style clothes, had been working as lookouts for Israel’s army, reporting on suspicious activity across the border, when they were captured.—
Patrick Kingsley,
New York Times,
25 Jan. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Debatable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debatable. Accessed 4 Feb. 2025.
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