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

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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

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as in unlikely

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

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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 Outgoing Baltimore City Councilman Eric Costello, who endorsed former Mayor Sheila Dixon in the 2024 mayoral primary election, has been dubious about Scott’s approach to crime reduction. —

Hannah Gaskill, Baltimore Sun, 29 Nov. 2024 Holding a New Narrative writer responsible for the behavior of a character in their work is dubious, though. —

Oscar Schwartz, The New Yorker, 27 Nov. 2024 Key Background Several prominent online influencers—like Joe Rogan—and right-wing figures have promoted the consumption of raw milk with dubious claims about its health benefits. —

Siladitya Ray, Forbes, 25 Nov. 2024 With a popular-vote victory in hand, returning to Washington having previously served as president, and not under the sort of dubious investigation that dogged him in 2017, Trump ought to be better able to navigate the existing structures of our Constitution. —

The Editors, National Review, 22 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for dubious

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dubious

Adjective

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
The industry’s knowledge base remains alarmingly shallow, leading to questionable valuations and incomplete business cases.

Kjartan Rist, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024