questionable

[kwes-chuh-nuh-buhl]

adjective

1. of doubtful propriety, honesty, morality, respectability, etc..

   questionable activities; in questionable taste.

   Antonyms: certain

2. open to question or dispute; doubtful or uncertain.

   a statement of questionable accuracy.

   Synonyms: dubious, dubitable, controvertible, disputable, debatable

3. open to question as to being of the nature or value suggested.

   a questionable privilege.

questionable

/ ˈkwɛstʃənəbəl /

adjective

1. (esp of a person's morality or honesty) admitting of some doubt; dubious

2. of disputable value or authority

   a questionable text

Other Word Forms

• questionableness noun
• questionability noun
• questionably adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of questionable¹

First recorded in 1580–90; question + -able

Example Sentences

“I am advised that the process leading to the company being placed in receivership is legally questionable,” he said in a statement in a government publication.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Some appear implausible, while others are in tension with one another, making the off-balance-sheet treatment look questionable.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

I could never give myself over to Mr. Carter—who played 22 seasons for eight different teams without sniffing a championship—and viewed his 2024 Hall of Fame election as questionable.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Grok has a history of making questionable, sometimes alarming statements.

Read more on Salon

Jordan was listed as questionable on the injury report last Saturday and dressed for practice this week, both signs of progress.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• ambiguous 
• arguable 
• controversial 
• debatable 
• dubious 
• problematic 
• suspicious 
• unproven 
• vague