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doubtful

adjective
doubt·​ful | \ ˈdau̇t-fəl How to pronounce doubtful (audio) \

Definition of doubtful

1 : giving rise to doubt or uncertainty : open to question It is doubtful that they ever knew what happened. a doubtful premise
2a : lacking a definite opinion, conviction, or determination They were doubtful about the advantages of the new system.
b : uncertain in outcome : undecided The outcome of the election remains doubtful.
3 : marked by qualities that raise doubts about worth, honesty, or validity of doubtful repute
Other Words from doubtful Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about doubtful

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Other Words from doubtful

doubtfully \ ˈdau̇t-​fə-​lē How to pronounce doubtfully (audio) \ adverb
doubtfulness noun

Choose the Right Synonym for doubtful

doubtful, dubious, problematic, questionable mean not affording assurance of the worth, soundness, or certainty of something. doubtful implies little more than a lack of conviction or certainty. doubtful about whether I said the right thing dubious stresses suspicion, mistrust, or hesitation. dubious about the practicality of the scheme problematic applies especially to things whose existence, meaning, fulfillment, or realization is highly uncertain. whether the project will ever be finished is problematic questionable may imply no more than the existence of doubt but usually suggests that the suspicions are well-grounded. a man of questionable honesty

Examples of doubtful in a Sentence

I tried to reassure them, but they remained doubtful. The truth of the statements was doubtful. Their decisions were based on data of doubtful accuracy.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 Meanwhile, Henderson’s left ankle sprain, while minor, leaves him doubtful for Saturday’s visit to Lexington. — Edgar Thompson, orlandosentinel.com, "UF WR Kadarius Toney out, CB CJ Henderson doubtful for Gators," 9 Sep. 2019 He was downgraded to doubtful Saturday and then was inactive Sunday. — Los Angeles Times, "Chargers’ Ty Long overcame a sick feeling in his NFL debut," 8 Sep. 2019 Steelers safety Sean Davis did not participate in practice and is doubtful. — Jim Mcbride, BostonGlobe.com, "Julian Edelman sounds willing to share punt-return duties," 6 Sep. 2019 On Wednesday, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said the rookie wide receiver was doubtful to play in the season opener Sunday at Tampa Bay because of his back injury. — Eric Branch, SFChronicle.com, "49ers rookie receiver Jalen Hurd could miss multiple games," 4 Sep. 2019 The rhetoric used in Daygame blogs such as Jamie's is inherently misogynistic and it’s doubtful any of the women featured consented to having their experience documented, pseudonym or not. — Sara Macauley, refinery29.com, "Have You Been Daygamed? The New Method Men Are Using To 'Attract Amazing Women'," 22 Aug. 2019 Prior to that period, McCord is doubtful domestic terrorism was even a part the public consciousness or law enforcement radar. — Brian Pascus, CBS News, "What is "domestic terrorism" and what can the law do about it?," 10 Aug. 2019 Only allowing more density will ever reduce affordability on a broad basis and this is doubtful in Southern California. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Econometer: Should San Diego developers be allowed to put low-income apartments in different buildings?," 2 Aug. 2019 Then, in August 2018, at least seven years into Mr. Looker’s supposed illness, two other Looker’s Hookers, Paul Harrison and Dave MacPhail, grew doubtful. — Abby Ellin, New York Times, "He Was the Face of a Bike-a-thon to Fight Cancer. He Was Also a Fake.," 1 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'doubtful.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of doubtful

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for doubtful

see doubt entry 1

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More Definitions for doubtful

doubtful

adjective
How to pronounce doubtful (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of doubtful

: uncertain or unsure about something
: not likely to be true : not probable
: likely to be bad : not worthy of trust

See the full definition for doubtful in the English Language Learners Dictionary

doubtful

adjective
doubt·​ful | \ ˈdau̇t-fəl How to pronounce doubtful (audio) \

Kids Definition of doubtful

1 : undecided or unsure about something I'm doubtful we'll make it on time. Minli was a little doubtful about riding the dragon.— Grace Lin, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon
2 : not likely to be true a doubtful claim
3 : not likely to be good doubtful quality
4 : not certain in outcome a doubtful future

Other Words from doubtful

doubtfully \ -​fə-​lē \ adverb

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