doubtful

[dout-fuhl]

adjective

1. of uncertain outcome or result.

   Synonyms: problematic, dubious, indecisive, unsettled, undetermined
   Antonyms: certain

2. admitting of or causing doubt; uncertain; ambiguous.

   Synonyms: indeterminate, unsure
   Antonyms: certain

3. unsettled in opinion or belief; undecided; hesitating.

   Synonyms: hesitant, vacillating, irresolute

4. of equivocal or questionable character.

   His tactics are highly doubtful.

   Synonyms: shady

doubtful

/ ˈdaʊtfʊl /

adjective

1. unlikely; improbable

2. characterized by or causing doubt; uncertain

   a doubtful answer

3. unsettled; unresolved

4. of questionable reputation or morality

5. having reservations or misgivings

6. (of a sportsperson) not likely to be fit enough to play or take part

noun

1. a person who is undecided or uncertain about an issue

2. a sportsperson who is not likely to be fit enough to play or take part

Usage

See doubt.

It was formerly considered correct to use whether after doubtful (it is doubtful whether he will come), but now if and that are also acceptable

Other Word Forms

• doubtfully adverb
• doubtfulness noun
• predoubtful adjective
• predoubtfully adverb
• quasi-doubtful adjective
• quasi-doubtfully adverb
• undoubtful adjective
• undoubtfully adverb
• undoubtfulness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of doubtful¹

First recorded in 1350–1400, doubtful is from the Middle English word douteful. See doubt, -ful

Synonym Study

Doubtful, dubious, incredulous, skeptical imply reluctance or unwillingness to be convinced. To be doubtful about something is to feel that it is open to question or that more evidence is needed to prove it: to be doubtful about the statements of witnesses. Dubious implies vacillation, unsureness, or suspicion: dubious about suggested methods of manufacture. Incredulous means unwilling or reluctant to believe: incredulous at the good news. Skeptical implies a general disposition to doubt or question: skeptical of human progress.

Example Sentences

There have been so many points in this campaign where the dream of automatic qualification either looked doubtful or dead.

Read more on BBC

But it’s doubtful any of this will work.

Read more on Salon

Strong forecasts a modest contraction in net interest margin, persistent cost growth and incrementally higher bad and doubtful debts for fiscal 2026.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

However, it is doubtful that the new offer is high enough to garner enough shareholder support, according to Mikael Bak, director of the Danish Shareholders Association.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The company may be able to slow down the rate at which it bleeds market share, but he’s doubtful the company can pivot to winning back market share any time soon.

Read more on MarketWatch

Related Words

• debatable 
• dicey 
• dubious 
• hazy 
• indecisive 
• insecure 
• precarious 
• problematic 
• suspicious 
• uncertain 
• undecided 
• uneasy 
• unsettled 
• unstable 
• unsure