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: controvertible, dubious, dubitable, 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

Derived Forms

• ˈquestionably, adverb
• ˈquestionableness, noun

Other Words From

• question·a·ble·ness question·a·bili·ty noun
• question·a·bly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of questionable¹

First recorded in 1580–90; question + -able

Example Sentences

But Oz is a controversial figure in the medical world whose television appearances have drawn criticism from fellow physicians who say he backs questionable alternative medicine and unproven weight loss products.

From Los Angeles Times

Junior point guard Dylan Andrews, who missed the last two games because of a groin injury, practiced Tuesday and is considered questionable for the game against Idaho State.

From Los Angeles Times

Moreover, “it is the district’s responsibility to prepare students to be able to make distinctions between news and opinion in an increasingly fractured information environment rife with misinformation, polarization and questionable sources.”

From Los Angeles Times

At the same time, the data has its nuances: “That period features very low income levels. It is questionable whether this can be generalized to the current period.”

From Salon

When Heather Hoff took a job at Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant, she was skeptical of nuclear energy — so much so that she resolved to report anything questionable to the anti-nuclear group Mothers for Peace.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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