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
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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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in disputable
open to question or dispute
a doubtful claim to the property
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of doubtful
Powell, who has missed Dallas’ last 14 games with a right hip strain, is officially listed as doubtful.
—
Christian Clark, The Athletic, 21 Feb. 2025
Cunningham, meanwhile, was doubtful to suit up through a left calf contusion.
—Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2025
One day after being listed as doubtful for Wednesday’s game against the Phoenix Suns with a left ankle sprain, Tatum was upgraded to questionable.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 26 Mar. 2025
Davis is now listed as doubtful rather than being ruled out entirely.
—Kevin Sabet, Newsweek, 23 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for doubtful
Christian Clark, The Athletic, 21 Feb. 2025
Cunningham, meanwhile, was doubtful to suit up through a left calf contusion.
—Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2025
One day after being listed as doubtful for Wednesday’s game against the Phoenix Suns with a left ankle sprain, Tatum was upgraded to questionable.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 26 Mar. 2025
Davis is now listed as doubtful rather than being ruled out entirely.
—Kevin Sabet, Newsweek, 23 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for doubtful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for doubtful
Adjective
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Anyone who was at either of the Grapevine locations March 28-30 and is unvaccinated or unsure of their vaccination status is at risk of contracting measles, Tarrant officials said.—
Matt Leclercq,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 Apr. 2025
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Republicans were the most divided, with 31% in support, 27% in opposition and 42% unsure.—
Brendan Rascius,
Miami Herald,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Wiggins was listed as questionable on the injury report before being upgraded to available.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
10 Apr. 2025
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Trump’s actions, based on economically questionable math, have triggered retaliatory tariffs, stoked trade wars, and escalated recession odds.—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN Money,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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That means consumers and businesses are unlikely to see any relief on loan rates in the near term, although economists are penciling in cuts later in the year, with the majority forecasting a reduction at the Fed's June 18 meeting.—
Aimee Picchi,
CBS News,
10 Apr. 2025
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With a Labour government entrenched until at least 2029, that’s unlikely to happen anytime, but the big brands are also big planners, and always thinking about the success of the next generation.—
Samantha Conti,
Footwear News,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Buffalo also had an inspiring end to the season two years ago, and that’s what has made fans skeptical that this late-season run means much.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
9 Apr. 2025
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But people remain skeptical, and some commentary isn't helping.—
Susan Tompor,
USA Today,
8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
Adjective
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What’s less debatable is that CNN reporter Donie O’Sullivan believed that Lorenz provided valuable perspective.—
Noah Rothman,
National Review,
14 Apr. 2025
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What’s not debatable is that the workload used to be far higher.—
Bruce Schoenfeld Robert Fass Tanya Pérez Brian St. Pierre,
New York Times,
26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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At least 11 cables were damaged in the Baltic Sea within 15 months, the alliance heavily suspicious of Russian influence.—
John W. Dean,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Apr. 2025
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The incident is being investigated by the San Diego County Sheriff’s homicide unit because authorities found the nature of the death to be suspicious, Lt. Juan Márquez said.—
Kristen Taketa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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And those tariffs will fuel another wave of scams and attacks, as businesses and shoppers in America and elsewhere react to the newly uncertain climate.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
11 Apr. 2025
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Small Ceremonies, by Kyle Edwards Struggling to shake a losing streak, the St. Croix Tigers, Winnipeg’s North End hockey team, faces an uncertain future in Kyle Edwards’ pulsing, thoughtful novel.—
Monitor contributors,
Christian Science Monitor,
11 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Doubtful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/doubtful. Accessed 20 Apr. 2025.
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