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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in unlikely

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 dubious The full texts of the orders weren’t immediately available, but several of them are legally dubious, including the one that would try to end birthright citizenship, a right enshrined in the U.S. Constitution. —

Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 20 Jan. 2025 Survival of the most controversial and legally dubious decrees will depend on the courts, experts said. —

Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 20 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 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 See all Example Sentences for dubious

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dubious

Adjective

Ben Simmons is questionable with lower back soreness.

— Jason Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 27 Jan. 2025
However, the most questionable penalty came in the third quarter, during a play where Mahomes was attempting to escape the Texans' defense.

— Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 25 Jan. 2025