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

If a person is adequately informed — granted, a questionable if — then they are within their rights to sell their data, or exchange it for a service or product, he says.

From Science News

He had been listed as questionable on the Buccaneers’ injury report.

From Washington Post

If you’re thinking this sounds like a questionable idea, you’re not alone.

From Singularity Hub 

“These are vetting efforts that identify any questionable behavior in the past, or any potential link to questionable behavior not just related to extremism,” said Jonathan Rath Hoffman, chief Pentagon spokesman.

From Washington Post

They forced a conversation on the issue, even if their motivations were sometimes questionable and their solution flawed.

From Washington Post

The motives were most always harmless, and only sometimes ethically questionable.

From The Daily Beast

Stott argues that they were somewhat questionable figures to begin with.

From The Daily Beast

There is a whole genre of books not sold in regular stores but usually on street stalls in questionable neighborhoods.

From The Daily Beast

I should have know this was a lie when the new number I was given had a questionable history as well.

From The Daily Beast

I had recently attended a wedding because a text message had referenced some questionable behavior.

From The Daily Beast

Mixed with much that is questionable or erroneous, the New Testament contains some truth and beauty.

From Project Gutenberg

The organization of man renders it questionable if his primeval ancestor was arboreal to any similar extent.

From Project Gutenberg

If any word is used which falls the least short of this, Tillotson's remark becomes altogether questionable.

From Project Gutenberg

Diard's mongrel position, which he himself made still more questionable, brought him great troubles.

From Project Gutenberg

It is questionable whether the Oriental nations had any philosophy distinct from religion.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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