doubtless

[dout-lis]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR doubtless ON THESAURUS.COM

adverb Also doubt·less·ly.

without doubt; certainly; surely; unquestionably.

probably or presumably.

adjective

free from doubt or uncertainty; certain, sure.

Origin of doubtless

First recorded in 1300–50, doubtless is from the Middle English word douteles. See doubt, -less

Related formsdoubt·less·ness, noun

Synonym study

1, 2. Doubtless, undoubtedly, indubitably, unquestionably are adverbs that express certainty. Doubtless, although it sometimes denotes an absolute degree of certainty, more often means “probably,” “presumably,” or “no doubt”: She will doubtless accept the offer. Undoubtedly means “beyond doubt”: undoubtedly the most prolific and popular composer of his time. Indubitably and unquestionably both affirm an unassailable conviction; they differ only in tone, indubitably being appropriate to more formal or learned discourse and unquestionably appropriate in a wider range of contexts and styles: an indubitably (or unquestionably) accurate transliteration of the hieroglyphic text; unquestionably the hottest running back in the league.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for doubtless

presumably, absolutely, unquestionably, surely, undoubtedly, clearly, unequivocally, apparently, assuredly, easily, ostensibly, positively, precisely, probably, supposedly, truly, seemingly, indisputably

Examples from the Web for doubtless

Contemporary Examples of doubtless

It was doubtless a warm reunion with his family, who are featured in The Cuban Wives.
Of Cuban Spies, a Baby, and a Filmmaker: The Strange Tale of the Cuban Five
Nina Strochlic
December 28, 2014
Doubtless John Kerry, too, would like to see another Israeli leader with whom he could dance a real peace process.
The Inside Story of U.S. Meddling in Israel’s Elections
Aaron David Miller
December 4, 2014
It is doubtless this sojourn that accounts for her ability to sing in French.
Meet the Future Mrs. Benedict Cumberbatch
Tom Sykes
November 5, 2014
And McCain had every reason to be happy that he had put Carney (and, by extension, he doubtless hoped, Obama) on the defensive.
John McCain Roughs Up Jay Carney During His CNN Primetime Debut
Lloyd Grove
September 11, 2014
Fans will doubtless flock to Austin to see that dress and two others that adorned Vivien Leigh.
How 'Gone With the Wind' Got Made
Helen Anders
September 10, 2014

Historical Examples of doubtless

These losses are doubtless irreparable so far as the stocks in question are concerned.
The Spenders
Harry Leon Wilson
The husband in my case was to be an inconvenience, but doubtless an amusing one.
The Spenders
Harry Leon Wilson
If he carried her triumphantly off, doubtless his regret for that would eventually be as great.
The Spenders
Harry Leon Wilson
We could not find any of his camps, however; doubtless the sand has long since covered them.
Explorations in Australia
John Forrest
So this part of my restraint was doubtless a stretch of the authority given him.
Clarissa, Volume 1 (of 9)
Samuel Richardson

British Dictionary definitions for doubtless

doubtless

adverb Also: doubtlessly (sentence substitute or sentence modifier)

certainly

probably

adjective

certain; assured

Derived Formsdoubtlessness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for doubtless

mid-14c. (adv.), mid-15c. (adj.), from doubt (n.) + -less. Related: Doubtlessly.