questionable

adjective

ˈkwes-chə-nə-bəl How to pronounce questionable (audio)
Definition of questionablenext
1
as in dubious
giving good reason for being doubted, questioned, or challenged the runner's unexpected first-place finish is questionable, so a drug test has been ordered

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in unlikely
not likely to be true or to occur it's questionable that he will show up tonight considering all the bad weather we're having

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in debatable
open to question or dispute whether it will rain today or not is questionable

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective questionable contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of questionable are doubtful, dubious, and problematic. While all these words mean "not affording assurance of the worth, soundness, or certainty of something," questionable may imply no more than the existence of doubt but usually suggests that the suspicions are well-grounded.

a man of questionable honesty

Where would doubtful be a reasonable alternative to questionable?

The words doubtful and questionable can be used in similar contexts, but doubtful implies little more than a lack of conviction or certainty.

doubtful about whether I said the right thing

In what contexts can dubious take the place of questionable?

While the synonyms dubious and questionable are close in meaning, dubious stresses suspicion, mistrust, or hesitation.

dubious about the practicality of the scheme

When is it sensible to use problematic instead of questionable?

The synonyms problematic and questionable are sometimes interchangeable, but problematic applies especially to things whose existence, meaning, fulfillment, or realization is highly uncertain.

whether the project will ever be finished is problematic

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 questionable But one thing’s for sure: if trouble runs on espresso martinis and questionable decisions, this crew has already paid the tab. —Shelby Stewart, Essence, 9 Apr. 2025 Several questionable calls went against their way, including three off-the-ball fouls that changed the momentum of the game. —Dj Siddiqi, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025 The Pistons are listing Jalen Duren (leg) and Tobias Harris (heel) as questionable for Monday’s game. —Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 7 Apr. 2025 Burks had been questionable earlier in the day due to back discomfort. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 30 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for questionable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for questionable
  1. dubious
  2. unlikely
  3. debatable
  4. doubtful
  5. problematic
  6. controversial
  7. suspicious
Adjective
  • 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
  • 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
Definition of dubious
Adjective
  • 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
  • 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
Definition of unlikely
Adjective
  • What’s less debatable is that CNN reporter Donie O’Sullivan believed that Lorenz provided valuable perspective.
    — Noah Rothman, National Review, 14 Apr. 2025
  • 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
Definition of debatable
Adjective
  • Jamal Murray’s injury Nuggets guard Jamal Murray is doubtful due to right hamstring imflammation after missing the past five games.
    — Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • While Carvana has posted upside earnings surprises in the past, the investor was doubtful that will be repeated.
    — Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of doubtful
Adjective
  • For years, Chicago Public School officials would send dozens of names of problematic employees to monthly board meetings for their dismissals to be signed off on.
    — Nell Salzman, Chicago Tribune, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Simon Callow is a new addition as a problematic billionaire funding Metropolitan Ballet Theater, as is David Haig, who plays its ailing artistic director.
    — Emily Zemler, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2025
Definition of problematic
Adjective
  • Day, a 13-time PGA Tour winner and the winner of the 2015 PGA Championship, revealed this week that he was asked to remove his controversial sweater vest at last year’s Masters, during a round in which he was partnered with Tiger Woods.
    — Paulina Dedaj, FOXNews.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Bezos was also behind The Washington Post’s controversial decision not to endorse a presidential candidate in the 2024 election.
    — Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of controversial
Adjective
  • What consumers can do is consider an identity theft protection service, which scours social media, the Internet and the dark web for your personal information and alerts you about any suspicious activity.
    — Ryley Amond, CNBC, 18 Apr. 2025
  • This kind of reverse inference is the same logic your bank uses when flagging suspicious activity.
    — Christer Holloman, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of suspicious

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question
questionable
questionableness
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Cite this Entry

“Questionable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/questionable. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

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