Definition of questionablenext
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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective questionable contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of questionable are doubtful, dubious, and problematic. While all these words mean "not affording assurance of the worth, soundness, or certainty of something," questionable may imply no more than the existence of doubt but usually suggests that the suspicions are well-grounded.

a man of questionable honesty

Where would doubtful be a reasonable alternative to questionable?

The words doubtful and questionable can be used in similar contexts, but doubtful implies little more than a lack of conviction or certainty.

doubtful about whether I said the right thing

In what contexts can dubious take the place of questionable?

While the synonyms dubious and questionable are close in meaning, dubious stresses suspicion, mistrust, or hesitation.

dubious about the practicality of the scheme

When is it sensible to use problematic instead of questionable?

The synonyms problematic and questionable are sometimes interchangeable, but problematic applies especially to things whose existence, meaning, fulfillment, or realization is highly uncertain.

whether the project will ever be finished is problematic

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 questionable Injury updates Austin Reaves remains questionable for Game 4 in Houston on Sunday . Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2026 The Buccaneers, however, feel good about Bain, his short arms and his questionable driving. Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2026 In addition to trying to get unqualified drivers off the road, Duffy has led an effort to crack down on questionable trucking schools and go after trucking companies that violate the rules and then just change their names and keep operating. ABC News, 24 Apr. 2026 Jackson Yueill, Brayan Ceballos, Matt Polster and former Inter Miami forward Leo Campana are questionable for New England due to lower-body injuries. Michelle Kaufman april 24, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for questionable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for questionable
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
  • 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
  • Attempting to close this gap solely by raising the gas tax would require a dramatic increase that is unlikely to be politically viable.
    Andrew Stasiowski, Boston Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
  • But analysts said the new model is unlikely to send markets into the kind of frenzy the previous one did.
    John Liu, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Yet if Mars’ execution is nearly impossible to criticize, his choices as curator of the evening are more debatable.
    Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 30 Apr. 2026
  • Some have pointed to a 1980 precedent holding that the motion to enter executive session for a discharge vote is non-debatable — meaning Thune could get Warsh into the room without a cloture vote.
    Phil Mattingly, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Speech — Intimidation as censorship The First Amendment protects disputable speech, not agreeable.
    Brielle Miller, Baltimore Sun, 9 Mar. 2026
  • 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
  • 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
  • Some content creators are compensated, and this also creates problematic incentives in the system.
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Apr. 2026
  • 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
  • Gregory Bovino, the controversial head of aggressive enforcement activities in Chicago and Minneapolis, resigned from the agency.
    Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
  • But let’s set aside the fact for a moment that a sequel might not include some of Jackson’s biggest hits and would instead focus on a controversial moment in the singer’s life that his estate may be unwilling or unable to explore.
    Brian Welk, IndieWire, 27 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
  • 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

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Cite this Entry

“Questionable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/questionable. Accessed 1 May. 2026.

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