1
as in questionable
open to question or dispute
it's always debatable which college football team is really number one, since there's more than one ranking system
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in disputable
giving good reason for being doubted, questioned, or challenged
the debatable wisdom of going back for another helping from the buffet
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Recent Examples of debatable
And that is, to say the least, debatable.
—
Chicago Tribune, Twin Cities, 9 Apr. 2026
And that is, to say the least, debatable.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026
But Huang was using a broad, debatable definition tied to AI being able to do a person’s job—or even run a billion-dollar company—rather than the more common definition of AI that is as capable as a human across the entire range of cognitive abilities.
—Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 24 Mar. 2026
But whether employment levels are about to be driven off a cliff thanks to the rampant use of generative AI at the workplace remains debatable.
—Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for debatable
Chicago Tribune, Twin Cities, 9 Apr. 2026
And that is, to say the least, debatable.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026
But Huang was using a broad, debatable definition tied to AI being able to do a person’s job—or even run a billion-dollar company—rather than the more common definition of AI that is as capable as a human across the entire range of cognitive abilities.
—Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 24 Mar. 2026
But whether employment levels are about to be driven off a cliff thanks to the rampant use of generative AI at the workplace remains debatable.
—Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for debatable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debatable
Adjective
-
Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said before tipoff Sunday that the team was prepared to play with or without Wembanyama, who was listed as questionable going into the game.—
Anne M. Peterson,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Preemptive strikes are a very questionable tactic unless the evidence of necessity is overwhelming.—
Gary Franks,
Hartford Courant,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Speech — Intimidation as censorship The First Amendment protects disputable speech, not agreeable.—
Brielle Miller,
Baltimore Sun,
9 Mar. 2026
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That disputable appraisal turned a few heads, and people began peppering the bot for further remarks on Musk’s physical prowess.—
Miles Klee,
Rolling Stone,
20 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Vásquez has arguably become the Padres’ most reliable starting pitcher – if that is even arguable.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Fans became obsessed with the unique dynamic between Rick and Chelsea in season 3 of White Lotus and though their relationship status is arguable, the chemistry between Aimee Lou Wood and Walton Goggins was undeniable.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
PEOPLE,
5 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The Americans exported violence in the form of counterterrorism and police trainings to as many as eighty-five countries, from Pakistan to Saudi Arabia to Niger to the Philippines, as well as blueprints for dubious legal frameworks to justify their actions.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Apr. 2026
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That dubious honor belongs to the period between March 1973 and March 1981, when prices rose a whopping 104%, according to calculations from CNN’s Alicia Wallace.—
Jeanne Sahadi,
CNN Money,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Some content creators are compensated, and this also creates problematic incentives in the system.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
27 Apr. 2026
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That’s not just problematic for poorer communities but also for affluent suburbs like Cheshire that get sparse state funding.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The Sixers initially listed him as doubtful, then upgraded him to questionable less than 90 minutes before game time.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
26 Apr. 2026
-
One explanation is simply that investors are doubtful of new highs in stocks and hedging against risks like the Iran war and crude oil.—
Oliver Renick,
CNBC,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Water testing has been temporarily increased to once a month at the Oceanside Harbor after someone reported seeing a suspicious liquid dumped from a boat.—
Phil Diehl,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
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In October, Havens ran off after attendees at a school volleyball game notified a Will County sheriff’s office school resource officer of suspicious behavior, according to a sheriff’s news release at the time.—
Addison Wright,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Debatable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debatable. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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