variants also problematical

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective problematic contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of problematic are doubtful, dubious, and questionable. While all these words mean "not affording assurance of the worth, soundness, or certainty of something," problematic applies especially to things whose existence, meaning, fulfillment, or realization is highly uncertain.

whether the project will ever be finished is problematic

When might doubtful be a better fit than problematic?

The words doubtful and problematic are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, doubtful implies little more than a lack of conviction or certainty.

doubtful about whether I said the right thing

When can dubious be used instead of problematic?

The synonyms dubious and problematic are sometimes interchangeable, but dubious stresses suspicion, mistrust, or hesitation.

dubious about the practicality of the scheme

When is it sensible to use questionable instead of problematic?

While the synonyms questionable and problematic are close in meaning, 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 problematic Soil test Over feeding and under feeding can be problematic not only for us but also for our plants. Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Mar. 2025 However, the use of BMI is controversial among healthcare workers as it was developed in the mid-19th century based on problematic racial and societal biases and does not consider a person's ethnicity, gender or body makeup. Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 28 Feb. 2025 The rule of law is dead, personal loyalty to Ortega is now a matter of constitutional obligation, and even exile is problematic. Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 24 Feb. 2025 While the courts may ultimately strike down the letter’s most problematic provisions, the damage to institutional autonomy and diversity efforts could be lasting. Scott White, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for problematic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for problematic
Adjective
  • Additionally, generative AI maintains a detailed record of its decisions, offering a level of transparency that can be difficult to achieve in human decision making.
    David Paffenholz, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
  • The worst of this is during residency, where 80-plus hour work weeks, 24-plus hour shifts, and difficult on-call schedules are the norm.
    Christopher M. Worsham, TIME, 7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Jun Reina, a former general manager of Capital Public Radio and a central figure in the station’s financial woes, has largely remained silent as questions mounted over a scathing audit’s findings of questionable expenses and financial mismanagement.
    Ishani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 6 Mar. 2025
  • More news: Latest Comments From Mike Budenholzer Prove Suns Made Giant Mistake Hiring Him The news broke after Booker made some questionable comments about the importance of communication on the court.
    Russel Honoré, Newsweek, 6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Concerns around sticky inflation and rising global tensions remain, and, what’s more, other growing threats such as the ballooning U.S. deficit, and the protectionist rhetoric around tariffs, have central banks around the world looking for alternatives.
    Sarah Min, CNBC, 27 Feb. 2025
  • The researchers started by utilizing machine learning algorithms to model the manner in which bitumen (the sticky black stuff in asphalt) oxidizes and hardens in response to environmental factors.
    Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Again, if the goal is to increase American manufacturing jobs, that's debatable.
    Nathaniel Rakich, ABC News, 13 Feb. 2025
  • Whether Chappelle needed this advice or not is debatable, given that Chappelle is undoubtedly a seasoned performer.
    Justin Gest, Newsweek, 20 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Although these big chip platforms are complicated to make, Nvidia can apply lessons learned from the Blackwell ramp to future product iterations.
    Jeff Marks, CNBC, 27 Feb. 2025
  • With triads, one dropout will force you into more complicated rematching.
    Kevin Kruse, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The Context Since Putin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, a series of mysterious deaths have claimed the lives of prominent Russian figures, including tycoons, businessmen and oil executives—many of whom reportedly fell from windows under suspicious circumstances.
    Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
  • The fire seemed suspicious, police said, and the fire marshal reportedly requested that arson detectives from West Hartford Police and the Connecticut State Police Fire and Explosive Investigative Unit investigate.
    From Staff Reports, Hartford Courant, 1 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Holiday and Porzingis had been listed as doubtful after sitting out the previous two games.
    Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 5 Mar. 2025
  • Boston's Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday are both doubtful for this game, and Jaylen Brown is questionable with a knee injury.
    Dan Perry, Newsweek, 2 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Problematic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/problematic. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

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