QUESTIONABLE Synonyms: 119 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

questionable

adjective

ˈkwes-chə-nə-bəl

Definition of questionable next

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

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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

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as in debatable

open to question or dispute whether it will rain today or not is questionable

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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

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Recent Examples of questionable Johnson was questionable to return but ended up returning to the game following further testing. —

Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 12 Jan. 2025 Schröder’s fit with the Warriors was always questionable. —

C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 10 Jan. 2025 After all, the Clippers ruled Leonard out for Saturday’s game Friday evening, only to later upgrade Leonard’s status to questionable 3.5 hours later. —

Law Murray, The Athletic, 5 Jan. 2025 The Boston Red Sox have reshaped their pitching ahead of the 2025 season, but the offense is still looking questionable. —

Dan Perry, Newsweek, 4 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for questionable

Recent Examples of Synonyms for questionable

Adjective

When Alyssa's slacker boyfriend steals their rent money, the girls race against the clock to get the funds back to avoid eviction from their dubious landlord, embarking on a series of chaotic escapades across Los Angeles.

— Jessica Wang, EW.com, 16 Jan. 2025
Barack Obama faced criticism for the dubious legal rationale behind drone strikes targeting U.S. citizens deemed enemy combatants abroad.

— Victor Menaldo, The Conversation, 16 Jan. 2025