1
as in unsure
not feeling sure about the truth, wisdom, or trustworthiness of someone or something
he was doubtful about the decision to complete the project despite its mounting problems
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in questionable
giving good reason for being doubted, questioned, or challenged
the election results were highly doubtful, so an investigation was begun
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in unlikely
not likely to be true or to occur
our winning the championship increasingly looks like a doubtful outcome
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in disputable
open to question or dispute
a doubtful claim to the property
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of doubtful
Hours before tip-off, word spread that Gordon was doubtful to play and that this injury would take weeks to recover from.
—
Ricardo Klein, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 May 2025
Nonetheless, the stock has declined nearly 40% from its peak in 2024, as investors remain doubtful regarding these plans.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
Currently, the most productive third basemen in the game are playing for obvious contenders or teams that are unlikely to consider selling or are doubtful on matching up with the Cubs.
—Sahadev Sharma, New York Times, 2 May 2025
The Celtics ruled the 34-year-old out the day before each of their last two games rather than listing him as questionable or doubtful.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for doubtful
Ricardo Klein, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 May 2025
Nonetheless, the stock has declined nearly 40% from its peak in 2024, as investors remain doubtful regarding these plans.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
Currently, the most productive third basemen in the game are playing for obvious contenders or teams that are unlikely to consider selling or are doubtful on matching up with the Cubs.
—Sahadev Sharma, New York Times, 2 May 2025
The Celtics ruled the 34-year-old out the day before each of their last two games rather than listing him as questionable or doubtful.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for doubtful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for doubtful
Adjective
-
When Ginny & Georgia’s Brianne Howey entered the courtroom set for Season 3, she was tasked with playing a new version of her usually confident and cunning character– one that was now afraid, powerless, and exceedingly unsure of herself.—
Jennifer Adams,
StyleCaster,
5 June 2025
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Fewer than half of U.S. businesses report having a formal crisis communication plan, and 23% either don’t have one or are unsure if a plan exists.—
Nicole Tidei,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2025
Adjective
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While many supplements are questionable at best, some of the hype about creatine seems warranted; even the International Olympic Committee has it on a short list of four supplements that are largely safe and proven effective for athletes.—
Cindy Kuzma,
SELF,
28 May 2025
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Overall, there are some reasonable ideas scattered throughout the executive orders (though whether their implementation ends up being reasonable is questionable, especially given DOGE's involvement).—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
27 May 2025
Adjective
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Ultimately, though, the Trump ally argued there was unlikely to be a single new face of DOGE.—
Alex Gangitano,
The Hill,
31 May 2025
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In Vietnam, an unlikely outpost for Chicano culture An outpost for Chicano culture in Vietnam attracts community — and occasional concerns among older generations inclined to associate tattoos with gangs.—
Fidel Martinez,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2025
Adjective
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It will be decided on by a conservative-majority Supreme Court that has been skeptical of considerations of race in public life.—
David Mark,
The Washington Examiner,
30 May 2025
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These regions were often skeptical of centralized power, and reformers pushed for tools like the initiative and referendum to give citizens a way to bypass political machines and corporate influence.—
Jeremy Kohler,
ProPublica,
30 May 2025
Adjective
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Sakara also has health supplements (which can be scientifically dubious), like a metabolism booster and fulvic acid cell reset.—
Molly Higgins,
Wired News,
29 May 2025
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Republican consultant Kevin Madden, who was a senior adviser to Mitt Romney’s presidential campaigns in 2008 and 2012, was dubious about her chances in either race.—
Michael R. Blood,
Chicago Tribune,
22 May 2025
Adjective
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Leo: Miranda Hobbes Miranda’s birthdate is debatable.—
Lisa Stardust,
People.com,
28 May 2025
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Whether or not Jones would have wanted his character to feature in Fortnite is debatable, but strangely enough, Disney’s Star Wars has inspired similar debates in the past.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2025
Adjective
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The agencies urged the public to remain vigilant and report any threats of violence or suspicious activity to law enforcement.—
Jeremy Harlan,
CNN Money,
6 June 2025
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This allows radiologists to see blood flow to areas of the breast—highlighting suspicious areas that might otherwise be hidden by dense tissue.—
Lauryn Higgins,
Flow Space,
6 June 2025
Adjective
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His departure marks the second shortest time any actor has spent as the Doctor — logging in just one more season than Christopher Eccleston — and certainly leaves the future of the iconic British show uncertain.—
Ellise Shafer,
Variety,
31 May 2025
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Though Bonnie had experience with bottle babies, this kitten's fragile condition made survival uncertain.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Doubtful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/doubtful. Accessed 11 Jun. 2025.
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