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
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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
Luis Suarez had to go out of town for personal reasons and is doubtful for the Inter Miami game on the road Saturday against Minnesota United.
Miami coach Javier Mascherano did not share details about Suarez’s situation and did not say when he was expected to rejoin the team.
—
Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 9 May 2025
Offer incentives for your team members to pursue AI upskilling programs, highlighting the importance of AI skills to draw in team members who are still doubtful about their need for these skills.
—Elise Awwad, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for doubtful
Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 9 May 2025
Offer incentives for your team members to pursue AI upskilling programs, highlighting the importance of AI skills to draw in team members who are still doubtful about their need for these skills.
—Elise Awwad, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for doubtful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for doubtful
Adjective
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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
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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
Adjective
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Technical guardrails help ensure agents stay within scope and flag questionable output for human review.—
Spencer Dorn,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
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Trump ordered 2,000 National Guard troops to LA, and, under a questionable legal basis, the Secretary of Defense has put Marines at Camp Pendleton on alert.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
8 June 2025
Adjective
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Again, some of it was unlikely Doobie Brothers stuff, but the band had to think of something to do in Tom’s absence.—
Steve Bloom,
HollywoodReporter,
12 June 2025
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While the president wants to sign the spending bill into law by July 4, the legislation is unlikely to pass the upper chamber if even a handful of GOP senators vote against it.—
Sophie Clark,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 June 2025
Adjective
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When Miramar native Evans St. Fort opened St. Fort’s Funeral Home in North Miami Beach in 2003, clients were skeptical of a funeral director still in his 20s.—
Raisa Habersham,
Miami Herald,
12 June 2025
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Industry experts were skeptical the material could withstand extreme pressure.—
Eileen Finan,
People.com,
10 June 2025
Adjective
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Thrilling upset launches unconventional Finals: Oklahoma City and Indiana both chasing their first NBA championship made for a dubious national ratings sell, and the Knicks’ sudden firing of coach Tom Thibodeau glommed attention as the Finals began.—
Greg Cote,
Miami Herald,
8 June 2025
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Their once-close relationship came under scrutiny again on Thursday when billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk alleged the president was a party to Epstein’s dubious behavior.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
6 June 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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Most of the calls were for more minor problems, such as trespassing and suspicious people, but three were related to battery, one for reported gunshots, another for an armed disturbance and one for a wanted person, the records show.—
Cristóbal Reyes,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 June 2025
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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
Adjective
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The impact of the decision is uncertain because immigrants could apply for legal status under other programs.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
13 June 2025
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The bill now moves to the Senate, where its future is uncertain.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Doubtful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/doubtful. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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