variants also problematical

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective problematic contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of problematic are doubtful, dubious, and questionable. While all these words mean "not affording assurance of the worth, soundness, or certainty of something," problematic applies especially to things whose existence, meaning, fulfillment, or realization is highly uncertain.

whether the project will ever be finished is problematic

When might doubtful be a better fit than problematic?

The words doubtful and problematic are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, doubtful implies little more than a lack of conviction or certainty.

doubtful about whether I said the right thing

When can dubious be used instead of problematic?

The synonyms dubious and problematic are sometimes interchangeable, but dubious stresses suspicion, mistrust, or hesitation.

dubious about the practicality of the scheme

When is it sensible to use questionable instead of problematic?

While the synonyms questionable and problematic are close in meaning, questionable may imply no more than the existence of doubt but usually suggests that the suspicions are well-grounded.

a man of questionable honesty

Example 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 problematic Or the person who refuses to let up on the problematic depiction of the Siamese cats in Lady and the Tramp. B.a. Parker, NPR, 14 Feb. 2025 The new episodes have happily dispensed with problematic Season 2 storylines and focused on what makes the show work: its cast, its mythology and its ability to disturb us. Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2025 Social media apps know it too, and have tried different ways to keep it from spreading, like using fact-checkers to flag problematic content. Anne Oeldorf-Hirsch, The Conversation, 14 Feb. 2025 What’s more, experts have interpreted Sen. Bill Cassidy’s, R-La., recent comments about Kennedy partly as an effort to curb the secretary’s potentially problematic actions and shield Trump from embarrassment. Berkeley Lovelace Jr., NBC News, 13 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for problematic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for problematic
Adjective
  • Stars of Durant’s stature can be notoriously difficult to pin down for interviews.
    Darnell Mayberry, The Athletic, 23 Feb. 2025
  • President Donald Trump seems to have found himself in a difficult position regarding Medicaid.
    Mark Joseph, Newsweek, 23 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Evans has missed the last three weeks with a sickness and is questionable for Tuesday’s game.
    Nathan Canilao, The Mercury News, 21 Feb. 2025
  • Cincinnati The decision to hire Scott Satterfield was questionable, and nothing during his Bearcats tenure has changed those initial doubts, as Satterfield is 8-16 in two seasons.
    Antonio Morales, The Athletic, 21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Opting for too many chemicals can leave surfaces sticky in the best of scenarios and create dangerous fumes in the worst of scenarios.
    Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 13 Feb. 2025
  • The hit dating series promises some drama this season as the trailer shows contestants in some seemingly sticky situations.
    Vivian Kwarm, New York Daily News, 13 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Again, if the goal is to increase American manufacturing jobs, that's debatable.
    Nathaniel Rakich, ABC News, 13 Feb. 2025
  • Whether Chappelle needed this advice or not is debatable, given that Chappelle is undoubtedly a seasoned performer.
    Justin Gest, Newsweek, 20 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Their final conflict goes down on Silver’s yacht in the middle of the open water, as Silver ridicules Kreese for his complicated relationship with Johnny.
    Nick Caruso, TVLine, 15 Feb. 2025
  • Construed as a pedagogical exercise more than entertainment, the film offers a deep reading into the complicated plurality of the populace that constitutes nations such as Germany.
    Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 15 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The officer informs him that his license plate is missing and discovers a suspicious liquid dripping from the trunk.
    Samantha Stutsman, People.com, 18 Feb. 2025
  • These tools continuously improve by learning from vast datasets, identifying synthetic media and flagging suspicious activity patterns.
    Dan Yerushalmi, Forbes, 18 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Skipper Lewis Dunk, deputy captain Danny Welbeck, and Dutch right-back Joel Veltman remain doubtful for tomorrow night’s home game against Bournemouth.
    Andy Naylor, The Athletic, 24 Feb. 2025
  • South Africans Kagiso Rabada and David Miller are also among the big names that will be missing, while Steven Smith has been retained by Freedom although his availability is doubtful given his international commitments.
    Tristan Lavalette, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Problematic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/problematic. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.

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