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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Recent Examples of debatable
The Stars took a 2-0 lead at 6:36 on a penalty shot that was debatable.
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Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 14 Nov. 2024
However, whether that is beneficial for the greater good is debatable.
—Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2024
The ethics of moving to Canada for those unhappy with incoming U.S. political leadership is debatable, of course.
—Lila MacLellan, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2024
But so far only one institution, Houston Christian University, has taken the formal–if legally debatable– next step in attempting to halt the case’s impending resolution.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 18 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for debatable 
Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 14 Nov. 2024
However, whether that is beneficial for the greater good is debatable.
—Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2024
The ethics of moving to Canada for those unhappy with incoming U.S. political leadership is debatable, of course.
—Lila MacLellan, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2024
But so far only one institution, Houston Christian University, has taken the formal–if legally debatable– next step in attempting to halt the case’s impending resolution.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 18 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for debatable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debatable
Adjective
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The industry’s knowledge base remains alarmingly shallow, leading to questionable valuations and incomplete business cases.Kjartan Rist, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
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The political left, especially George Soros, have worked for racial divide by pushing very questionable theories of victimhood.Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 18 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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And at the Christmas party, with the flow of dubious punch, (that no one in their right mind would serve at any other time of the year), after about 9 or 10 p.m., the man hugging becomes a competitive sport.Louis J. Esterhazy, WWD, 8 Dec. 2024
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Though dubious in concept, the effect is peculiarly, if superficially, enticing.Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 19 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Natural saltwater pearls are arguable the rarest gems in the world.Anthony DeMarco, Forbes, 2 Dec. 2024
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Lanthimos is many things — a champion absurdist, an arguable nihilist, an occasional edgelord, and an artist who has maintained a decidedly Euro sensibility despite having worked in English with Hollywood actors since 2015.Alison Willmore, Vulture, 30 Aug. 2024
Adjective
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Matthew Stafford is miles better than any passer Washington has defeated since Week 4, and running back Kyren Williams (1,299 rushing yards, 14 touchdowns) is problematic.Ben Standig, The Athletic, 31 Dec. 2024
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The plaintiffs maintain this arrangement is problematic because NFL teams are competing businesses, and their pooling allegedly increases prices.Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 30 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Advertisement Key injuries Chargers: TE Will Dissly (shoulder, out); CB Cam Hart (concussion, out); DB Elijah Molden (knee, doubtful); G Zion Johnson (ankle, questionable); DL Otito Ogbonnia (pelvis, questionable); LB Denzel Perryman (groin, questionable), TE Hayden Hurst (hip, questionable).Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 19 Dec. 2024
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Count us doubtful that Republicans will be able to make major changes to environmental laws without negotiating with Senate Democrats.Daniel Moore, Axios, 17 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Monitor your accounts: Keep a close eye on your bank accounts, credit cards and other financial accounts for any suspicious activity.Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, Fox News, 30 Dec. 2024
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But this was thousands of miles away, and this Talib, marooned in a frontier outpost, was suspicious.Azam Ahmed, New York Times, 28 Dec. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Debatable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debatable. Accessed 5 Jan. 2025.
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