questionable
Americanadjective
-
of doubtful propriety, honesty, morality, respectability, etc..
questionable activities; in questionable taste.
- Antonyms:
- certain
-
open to question or dispute; doubtful or uncertain.
a statement of questionable accuracy.
- Synonyms:
- dubious, dubitable, controvertible, disputable, debatable
-
open to question as to being of the nature or value suggested.
a questionable privilege.
adjective
-
(esp of a person's morality or honesty) admitting of some doubt; dubious
-
of disputable value or authority
a questionable text
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of questionable
Explanation
Something that's questionable is uncertain or hard to believe. If a politician says things you doubt are true, you might describe his words as questionable. You might say that it's questionable whether you'll reach your goal of getting straight A's in school, or secretly believe that everything your history teacher says is slightly questionable. In either case, you're highly doubtful. You can even describe a person as questionable, if he or she doesn't strike you as completely honest. The original meaning of the word was "that may be interrogated," from the Latin root word quaestionem, "a seeking, inquiry, questioning, or examination."
Vocabulary lists containing questionable
"The Tragedy of Hamlet," Vocabulary from Act 1
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Strange
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Strange
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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.
School leaders said they weren’t sure which current activities would cross the line and would likely scale back anything questionable because the potential penalty is so severe.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 14, 2026
He is accused of using his influence as president to steer millions in government deposits to Ueno and hiding or downplaying its financial woes despite warnings about questionable loans and solvency issues.
From Barron's ● Nov. 12, 2026
But Samoa's passion dissolved into frustration as the game got away - not helped by some questionable refereeing decisions.
From BBC ● Nov. 8, 2026
This movie about consent and dementia — and ultimately, far much more — hinges on a questionable act that provokes a hasty emotional reaction.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 6, 2026
Anyway, Lorena and her mom make questionable choices when it comes to their looks, and Amá always feels the need to point them out, as if I didn’t already notice.
From "I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter" by Erika L. Sánchez
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Get a wordDefinitions 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.
