debatable

[dih-bey-tuh-buhl]

adjective

1. open to question; in dispute; doubtful.

   Whether or not he is qualified for the job is debatable.

   Synonyms: disputable, arguable, dubious, questionable

2. capable of being debated.

debatable

/ dɪˈbeɪtəbəl /

adjective

1. open to question; disputable

2. law in dispute, as land or territory to which two parties lay claim

Other Word Forms

• nondebatable adjective
• undebatable adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of debatable¹

1425–75; late Middle English < Middle French. See debate, -able

Example Sentences

The series has never swept an awards ceremony, but it's debatable whether it ever tried to.

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And it was debatably the most collaborative set I’ve been on.

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This is debatable, but one thing is certain: Millie’s caregivers and their communities will suffer.

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Where else were we going to sit in a milelong drive-thru line at midnight waiting for a delicious burger and debatable fries?

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His impact on the film world is debatable, but fictional Hollywood studio head Matt Remick has earned the respect of his TV peers.

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Related Words

• arguable 
• doubtful 
• dubious 
• moot 
• problematic 
• questionable 
• uncertain