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doubtful

[dout-fuhl]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

of uncertain outcome or result.
Synonyms: , , , ,
Antonyms:
admitting of or causing doubt; uncertain; ambiguous.
Synonyms: ,
Antonyms:
unsettled in opinion or belief; undecided; hesitating.
Synonyms: , ,
of equivocal or questionable character.
His tactics are highly doubtful.
Synonyms:

doubtful

/ ˈ�岹ʊ�ٴ�ʊ�� /

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

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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

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Other Word Forms

doubtfully adverb
doubtfulness noun
predoubtful adjective
predoubtfully adverb
quasi-doubtful adjective
quasi-doubtfully adverb
undoubtful adjective
undoubtfully adverb
undoubtfulness noun
ˈ��ǳܲ��ٴڳܱ��Ա�� noun
ˈ��ǳܲ��ٴڳܱ�� adverb

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Word History and Origins

Origin of doubtful¹

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

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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.

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Considering the current level of policymaking at Kennedy’s Health and Human Services, sadly, there’s reason to be doubtful.

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That's doubtful, as Ernst drove to the cemetery, recorded herself, and likely had a younger staffer edit and post the video to Instagram.

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But if she can go all the way into space and still not see the big picture here, it's doubtful she ever will.

From

It is doubtful that his purple-clad charges will be much better than they were under Black.

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Democratic voters in the state are largely confident in the state election system and doubtful of prevalent voter fraud, while many Republican voters feel the opposite, the poll found.

From

Related Words

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

doubt doubting Thomas

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