doubtful

[ dout-fuhl ]

adjective

1. of uncertain outcome or result.

   Synonyms: undetermined, problematic, dubious, indecisive, unsettled

   Antonyms: certain

2. admitting of or causing doubt; uncertain; ambiguous.

   Synonyms: unsure, indeterminate

   Antonyms: certain

3. unsettled in opinion or belief; undecided; hesitating.

   Synonyms: hesitant, vacillating, irresolute

4. of equivocal or questionable character:

   His tactics are highly doubtful.

   Synonyms: shady

doubtful

/ ˈdaʊtfʊl /

adjective

1. unlikely; improbable
2. characterized by or causing doubt; uncertain

   a doubtful answer

3. unsettled; unresolved
4. of questionable reputation or morality
5. having reservations or misgivings
6. (of a sportsperson) not likely to be fit enough to play or take part

noun

1. a person who is undecided or uncertain about an issue
2. a sportsperson who is not likely to be fit enough to play or take part

Usage Note

See doubt.

Usage

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

Derived Forms

• ˈdoubtfulness, noun
• ˈdoubtfully, adverb

Other Words From

• doubtful·ly adverb
• doubtful·ness noun
• pre·doubtful adjective
• pre·doubtful·ly adverb
• quasi-doubtful adjective
• quasi-doubtful·ly adverb
• un·doubtful adjective
• un·doubtful·ly adverb
• un·doubtful·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of doubtful¹

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

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.

Example Sentences

And given our habit of quickly moving on from talking about war, it’s doubtful many of us would even remember just how much supporting Ukraine cost us.

From Los Angeles Times

Bacteriophages were developed over much of the 20th century by dedicated scientists who battled not just microbes but also doubtful colleagues and corrupt politics.

From Salon

To be fair to Tapper, it's doubtful he's genuinely surprised at Johnson's priorities.

From Salon

Former Manhattan prosecutor Diana Florence said that this request makes it doubtful that Trump would face sentencing at the scheduled hearing on 26 November, as the judge will probably accept the prosecutors' proposal.

From BBC

That's if he ever cared about the noise in the first place, which is doubtful.

From BBC

Related Words

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