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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3
as in unlikely
not likely to be true or to occur
our winning the championship increasingly looks like a doubtful outcome
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4
as in disputable
open to question or dispute
a doubtful claim to the property
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of doubtful
Ticketing companies show support for Donald Trump's executive order, others prove to be doubtful of 'meaningful change'
Live Nation, parent company of Ticketmaster, issued a statement supporting Trump's executive order and calling for a cap on resale prices.
—
Diana Leyva, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
The bill is doubtful to get support from any Senate Democrat, but under special Senate rules, only 51 Republicans are needed to sign-off and avoid a filibuster.
—Savannah Kuchar, USA Today, 28 June 2025
Whether Afshar could have solved this is highly doubtful, since the problem rests heavily with Musk’s own decisions.
—Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 27 June 2025
But some fear Newsom might even veto the $110 million, although this seems doubtful, given the public anger that could generate.
—George Skelton, Mercury News, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for doubtful
Diana Leyva, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
The bill is doubtful to get support from any Senate Democrat, but under special Senate rules, only 51 Republicans are needed to sign-off and avoid a filibuster.
—Savannah Kuchar, USA Today, 28 June 2025
Whether Afshar could have solved this is highly doubtful, since the problem rests heavily with Musk’s own decisions.
—Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 27 June 2025
But some fear Newsom might even veto the $110 million, although this seems doubtful, given the public anger that could generate.
—George Skelton, Mercury News, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for doubtful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for doubtful
Adjective
-
Without the autonomy to approve such costs within the agency, employees are unsure of their responsibilities.—
Alexis Simmerman,
Austin American Statesman,
11 July 2025
-
The filmmaker, unsure his story was appropriate at such a moment, was encouraged by Masharawi to proceed.—
Essie Assibu,
Variety,
10 July 2025
Adjective
-
The hardcore wipe in Escape From Tarkov got off to a rough start, with some questionable decisions or simple oversights that really hampered the player experience.—
Mike Stubbs,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
-
With questionable Dolphins secondary, can better pass rush make up for the back end?—
Chris Perkins,
Sun Sentinel,
15 July 2025
Adjective
-
So worst-case would be a fifth-place finish, which is unlikely.—
Mark Hughes,
Forbes.com,
16 July 2025
-
Trump is unlikely to allow India’s policy toward Ukraine to determine the future of a U.S.-India deal or a thaw in trade tensions, for example, and likewise with China.—
Thomas Wright,
The Atlantic,
15 July 2025
Adjective
-
Coastal elites are always skeptical about whether a fast-growth, deep tech company can be built in the Midwest.—
Kathleen Gallagher,
jsonline.com,
15 July 2025
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In their interviews with town businessmen, the Sodality women try to convince the men that more hygienic practices will actually improve their bottom line, but the men are skeptical: why do anything new?—
Deborah Williams
July 14,
Literary Hub,
14 July 2025
Adjective
-
In his regulation dark navy blazer, Prince George is in command, if slightly dubious about the goings on, at the oak desk of the rail.—
Guy Martin,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
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The end result is two teams — the White Sox last year, and the Rockies this year — that face an uncomfortable situation of fighting to avoid these dubious marks.—
Sam Blum,
New York Times,
7 July 2025
Adjective
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Trump’s remarks targeting wind and solar are certainly debatable, but the direction of energy and climate policy in his second presidency is well beyond any real doubt.—
David Blackmon,
Forbes.com,
9 July 2025
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But whether those are true All-Star-caliber numbers is certainly debatable — and the MLB selection did not take into account the issue of his health.—
Jon Vankin,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 July 2025
Adjective
-
The suspicious person with a range finder who because the shooter, many times he was spotted by police with suspicion.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
13 July 2025
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For instance, the Secret Service security room agent, who is responsible for collecting and disseminating information, learned about a suspicious person with a rangefinder from a counterpart in the Pennsylvania State Police roughly 25 minutes before the shooting.—
Joe Hernandez,
NPR,
13 July 2025
Adjective
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Culture provides a grip in an uncertain world, whether racing through growth or crisis mode.—
Umang Modi,
Forbes.com,
7 July 2025
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The future is uncertain for both the league and its players.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
7 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Doubtful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/doubtful. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
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