doubtful

adjective

doubt·​ful ˈdau̇t-fəl How to pronounce doubtful (audio)
1
a
: 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.
2
: marked by qualities that raise doubts about worth, honesty, or validity
of doubtful repute
3
: giving rise to doubt or uncertainty : open to question
It is doubtful that they ever knew what happened.
a doubtful premise
doubtfully 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.
Recent Examples on the Web Whether targeting TikTok will advance that purpose is doubtful in the extreme. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2024 Nonstop rain is doubtful, but drier spells can still include drizzle. Ian Livingston, Washington Post, 9 Mar. 2024 Mark Lemley, a professor at Stanford Law School, is doubtful of both the AGI claim and the suit’s broader legal merits. Will Knight, WIRED, 1 Mar. 2024 In addition, Kyle Anderson is considered doubtful with a left knee sprain. Jason Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 29 Feb. 2024 Consumer advocates are doubtful Oct. 14, 2022 Kroger is the nation’s second-largest supermarket chain, with a 10.1% market share, after Walmart, with a 23.6% share (not including its Sam’s Club chain, with an additional 4.7% market share), according to data firm Numerator. Suhauna Hussain, Los Angeles Times, 26 Feb. 2024 Also for the Heat, forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. is listed as doubtful for the Grizzlies game (7:30 p.m., Bally Sports Sun). Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 23 Jan. 2024 Still, some market onlookers are doubtful that the deal will go through. Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 21 Feb. 2024 Nadia Bey, who lives in a social housing high-rise just a couple of blocks away was doubtful that the Olympic investments would improve her life. Catherine Porter, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'doubtful.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

see doubt entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of doubtful was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near doubtful

Cite this Entry

“Doubtful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/doubtful. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

doubtful

adjective
doubt·​ful ˈdau̇t-fəl How to pronounce doubtful (audio)
1
: not clear or certain as to fact
a doubtful claim
2
: questionable sense 2
doubtful intentions
3
: undecided in opinion
4
: not certain in outcome
doubtfully adverb
doubtfulness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on doubtful

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