DUBIOUS Synonyms: 142 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'dubious' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of dubious are doubtful , problematic , and questionable . While all these words mean "not affording assurance of the worth, soundness, or certainty of something," dubious stresses suspicion, mistrust, or hesitation. // dubious about the practicality of the scheme

Q: When would 'doubtful' be a good substitute for 'dubious'?

The meanings of doubtful and dubious largely overlap; however, doubtful implies little more than a lack of conviction or certainty. // doubtful about whether I said the right thing

Q: Where would 'problematic' be a reasonable alternative to 'dubious'?

While in some cases nearly identical to dubious , problematic applies especially to things whose existence, meaning, fulfillment, or realization is highly uncertain. // whether the project will ever be finished is problematic

Q: When could 'questionable' be used to replace 'dubious'?

The words questionable and dubious can be used in similar contexts, but questionable may imply no more than the existence of doubt but usually suggests that the suspicions are well-grounded. // a man of questionable honesty

dubious

adjective

ˈdü-bē-əs

Definition of dubious next

as in questionable

giving good reason for being doubted, questioned, or challenged any letter bearing the signature of Geronimo would be of dubious authenticity, to say the least

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in reluctant

slow to begin or proceed with a course of action because of doubts or uncertainty I'm dubious about our plan to go hang gliding without having had any training

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in unlikely

not likely to be true or to occur made the dubious claim of being of royal blood

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in skeptical

not feeling sure about the truth, wisdom, or trustworthiness of someone or something dubious about a diet that claims I can eat all I want and still lose weight

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective dubious contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of dubious are doubtful, problematic, and questionable. While all these words mean "not affording assurance of the worth, soundness, or certainty of something," dubious stresses suspicion, mistrust, or hesitation.

dubious about the practicality of the scheme

When would doubtful be a good substitute for dubious?

The meanings of doubtful and dubious largely overlap; however, doubtful implies little more than a lack of conviction or certainty.

doubtful about whether I said the right thing

Where would problematic be a reasonable alternative to dubious?

While in some cases nearly identical to dubious, problematic applies especially to things whose existence, meaning, fulfillment, or realization is highly uncertain.

whether the project will ever be finished is problematic

When could questionable be used to replace dubious?

The words questionable and dubious can be used in similar contexts, but questionable may imply no more than the existence of doubt but usually suggests that the suspicions are well-grounded.

a man of questionable honesty

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of dubious Cooking with any plastic is a dubious enterprise, because heat encourages potentially harmful plastic compounds to migrate out of the polymers and potentially into the food. —

Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 30 Oct. 2024 There has been enough realignment in the past decade to make a county’s voting history before 2016 a very dubious predictor. —

Craig Gilbert, Journal Sentinel, 1 Nov. 2024 Despite its astounding progress and immense promise, AI is now vying for the dubious distinction of being one of the most mistrusted industries. —

Nina Turner, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024 Meanwhile, his probing questions in the jury room lead other jurors to doubt—and even to legally dubious actions that prove even more illuminating than the legalistic ones of the trial itself. —

Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 30 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for dubious

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dubious

Adjective

Wide receiver Deebo Samuel (rib, oblique) and defensive end Nick Bosa (hip) also will suit up after being listed as questionable and limited in practice.

Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024
What was new and different Friday was that Mack was listed as questionable to play Sunday for the Chargers (5-3) against the Tennessee Titans (2-6) because of a groin injury.

Elliott Teaford, Orange County Register, 8 Nov. 2024