1
as in unsure
not feeling sure about the truth, wisdom, or trustworthiness of someone or something
he was doubtful about the decision to complete the project despite its mounting problems
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in questionable
giving good reason for being doubted, questioned, or challenged
the election results were highly doubtful, so an investigation was begun
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in unlikely
not likely to be true or to occur
our winning the championship increasingly looks like a doubtful outcome
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in disputable
open to question or dispute
a doubtful claim to the property
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of doubtful
Hours before tip-off, word spread that Gordon was doubtful to play and that this injury would take weeks to recover from.
—
Ricardo Klein, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 May 2025
Nonetheless, the stock has declined nearly 40% from its peak in 2024, as investors remain doubtful regarding these plans.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
Currently, the most productive third basemen in the game are playing for obvious contenders or teams that are unlikely to consider selling or are doubtful on matching up with the Cubs.
—Sahadev Sharma, New York Times, 2 May 2025
The Celtics ruled the 34-year-old out the day before each of their last two games rather than listing him as questionable or doubtful.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for doubtful
Ricardo Klein, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 May 2025
Nonetheless, the stock has declined nearly 40% from its peak in 2024, as investors remain doubtful regarding these plans.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
Currently, the most productive third basemen in the game are playing for obvious contenders or teams that are unlikely to consider selling or are doubtful on matching up with the Cubs.
—Sahadev Sharma, New York Times, 2 May 2025
The Celtics ruled the 34-year-old out the day before each of their last two games rather than listing him as questionable or doubtful.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for doubtful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for doubtful
Adjective
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Researchers are still unsure of the exact cause of a water allergy.—
Sarah Jividen,
Verywell Health,
23 May 2025
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And for some students at the start of their academic and professional careers, the latest development leaves them unsure about what to do next.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
23 May 2025
Adjective
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While many supplements are questionable at best, some of the hype about creatine seems warranted; even the International Olympic Committee has it on a short list of four supplements that are largely safe and proven effective for athletes.—
Cindy Kuzma,
SELF,
28 May 2025
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She is officially labeled as questionable to play against the Liberty.—
Nathan Canilao,
Mercury News,
27 May 2025
Adjective
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Ultimately, though, the Trump ally argued there was unlikely to be a single new face of DOGE.—
Alex Gangitano,
The Hill,
31 May 2025
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Whether this particular initiative will materialize remains to be seen, but even without it Jordan is positioning itself as the unlikely runner-up in electromobility after Norway, with great relevance for countries around the world.—
Mattias Goldmann,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
Adjective
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These regions were often skeptical of centralized power, and reformers pushed for tools like the initiative and referendum to give citizens a way to bypass political machines and corporate influence.—
Jeremy Kohler,
ProPublica,
30 May 2025
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It will be decided on by a conservative-majority Supreme Court that has been skeptical of considerations of race in public life.—
David Mark,
The Washington Examiner,
30 May 2025
Adjective
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Sakara also has health supplements (which can be scientifically dubious), like a metabolism booster and fulvic acid cell reset.—
Molly Higgins,
Wired News,
29 May 2025
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Republican consultant Kevin Madden, who was a senior adviser to Mitt Romney’s presidential campaigns in 2008 and 2012, was dubious about her chances in either race.—
Michael R. Blood,
Chicago Tribune,
22 May 2025
Adjective
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Whether or not Jones would have wanted his character to feature in Fortnite is debatable, but strangely enough, Disney’s Star Wars has inspired similar debates in the past.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2025
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Whether that was the best ploy is debatable, particularly as results on the field have waned.—
Chris Weatherspoon,
New York Times,
14 May 2025
Adjective
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There was no indication of suspicious activity and no danger to the public, police said.—
Carolyn Stein,
Chicago Tribune,
25 May 2025
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On Wednesday, an investigator spied a suspicious drone over the detention center shortly before 3 a.m. and tracked it to a landing spot on top of an SUV parked just down the road.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
24 May 2025
Adjective
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This phenomenon has been further propelled by ongoing inflation, high interest rates, and an uncertain economic outlook.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2025
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In the early, uncertain days of COVID-19, when people were told to stay home to save lives, Lightfoot chose compassion over citations.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
20 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Doubtful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/doubtful. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
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