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

No one knows exactly what the role entails, and given the president-elect’s volatility, it’s doubtful Homan will last long enough to show us.

From Los Angeles Times

I am doubtful that the majority who chose to reject America’s first female president and a woman of color fully grasped the scale of destruction that voting for Trump will unleash, but they soon will.

From Salon

Though “Drill, baby, drill!” was the rallying cry during Trump’s first administration, it’s doubtful he’ll get far in California, experts say.

From Los Angeles Times

Lincoln Riley deemed the Trojans’ left guard “doubtful” for the meeting with Rutgers with a leg injury that had limited him all week.

From Los Angeles Times

Even if these restrictions were brought in, Jack is doubtful how much safer they would make the roads.

From BBC

Related Words

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