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
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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
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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
As for those who remain doubtful of his potential, Brady addressed them as well.
—
Trent Reinsmith, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
Additionally, Dorian Finney-Smith and Jarred Vanderbilt are doubtful with a left ankle injury and right groin strain respectively.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 20 Mar. 2025
Cunningham, meanwhile, was doubtful to suit up through a left calf contusion.
—Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2025
One day after being listed as doubtful for Wednesday’s game against the Phoenix Suns with a left ankle sprain, Tatum was upgraded to questionable.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for doubtful
Trent Reinsmith, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
Additionally, Dorian Finney-Smith and Jarred Vanderbilt are doubtful with a left ankle injury and right groin strain respectively.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 20 Mar. 2025
Cunningham, meanwhile, was doubtful to suit up through a left calf contusion.
—Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2025
One day after being listed as doubtful for Wednesday’s game against the Phoenix Suns with a left ankle sprain, Tatum was upgraded to questionable.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for doubtful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for doubtful
Adjective
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Anyone who was at either of the Grapevine locations March 28-30 and is unvaccinated or unsure of their vaccination status is at risk of contracting measles, Tarrant officials said.—
Matt Leclercq,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 Apr. 2025
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By noon, Alejandro was unsure whether his teams were actually aligned or just eager to move on.—
Tom Roberts,
Forbes.com,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Wiggins was listed as questionable on the injury report before being upgraded to available.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
10 Apr. 2025
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This Club name has been hit hard by tariff fallout, including a questionable probe by Chinese regulators.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
Adjective
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Buffalo also had an inspiring end to the season two years ago, and that’s what has made fans skeptical that this late-season run means much.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
9 Apr. 2025
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But people remain skeptical, and some commentary isn't helping.—
Susan Tompor,
USA Today,
8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
Adjective
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Taking supplements such as magnesium and melatonin is debatable.—
Sophie Okolo,
Forbes.com,
4 Apr. 2025
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The president’s early claims that the import taxes will bring back jobs is debatable, and duties have a poor historical track record of boosting manufacturing employment.—
Josh Fellman,
Quartz,
3 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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At least 11 cables were damaged in the Baltic Sea within 15 months, the alliance heavily suspicious of Russian influence.—
John W. Dean,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Apr. 2025
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The incident is being investigated by the San Diego County Sheriff’s homicide unit because authorities found the nature of the death to be suspicious, Lt. Juan Márquez said.—
Kristen Taketa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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And the partnership comes as TikTok’s future in the U.S. is uncertain.—
Lillian Rizzo,
CNBC,
2 Apr. 2025
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Aside from the retroactive tariffs expected to be announced this afternoon by the White House, not only is the imposition of secondary sanctions on buyers of Russian highly uncertain, but their possible nature remains inscrutable.—
Michael Lynch,
Forbes.com,
2 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Doubtful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/doubtful. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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