doubtful
Americanadjective
-
of uncertain outcome or result.
- Synonyms:
- problematic, dubious, indecisive, unsettled, undetermined
- Antonyms:
- certain
-
admitting of or causing doubt; uncertain; ambiguous.
- Synonyms:
- indeterminate, unsure
- Antonyms:
- certain
-
unsettled in opinion or belief; undecided; hesitating.
- Synonyms:
- hesitant, vacillating, irresolute
-
of equivocal or questionable character.
His tactics are highly doubtful.
- Synonyms:
- shady
adjective
-
unlikely; improbable
-
characterized by or causing doubt; uncertain
a doubtful answer
-
unsettled; unresolved
-
of questionable reputation or morality
-
having reservations or misgivings
-
(of a sportsperson) not likely to be fit enough to play or take part
noun
-
a person who is undecided or uncertain about an issue
-
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
Related Words
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.
Other Word Forms
- doubtfully adverb
- doubtfulness noun
- predoubtful adjective
- predoubtfully adverb
- quasi-doubtful adjective
- quasi-doubtfully adverb
- undoubtful adjective
- undoubtfully adverb
- undoubtfulness noun
Etymology
Origin of doubtful
First recorded in 1350–1400, doubtful is from the Middle English word douteful. See doubt, -ful
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"It has been quieter for a bit, but I don't know if that's linked," a doubtful Yulia says, suspecting the strikes will restart at any moment.
From BBC
That’s doubtful given that it has already spurred many billionaires to decamp.
The mentions of the most recent X post promising the “All-American Halftime Show” were doubtful.
From Salon
Still, some are doubtful the technology lives up to its promises.
Newsom, who is working behind the scenes with SEIU-UHW in an effort to stop the ballot measure, on Friday appeared doubtful that a deal could be struck with proponents of the measure.
From Los Angeles Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
