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doubtful

 - 2 dictionary results

doubt⋅ful

  [dout-fuhl]
Use doubtful in a Sentence
–adjective
1. of uncertain outcome or result.
2. admitting of or causing doubt; uncertain; ambiguous.
3. unsettled in opinion or belief; undecided; hesitating.
4. of equivocal or questionable character: His tactics are highly doubtful.
Origin:
1350–1400; ME douteful. See doubt, -ful

Related forms:
doubt⋅ful⋅ly, adverb
doubt⋅ful⋅ness, noun

Synonyms:
1. undetermined, unsettled, indecisive, dubious, problematic. 2. unsure, indeterminate. 3. irresolute, vacillating, hesitant. 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. 4. shady.

Antonyms:
1, 2. certain.

Usage note:
See doubt.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To doubtful
doubt·ful   (dout'fəl)   
adj.  

  1. Subject to or causing doubt: a doubtful claim; doubtful prospects.

  2. Experiencing or showing doubt: Doubtful that the cord would hold, we strengthened it.

  3. Of uncertain outcome; undecided.

  4. Raising doubts as to legitimacy, honesty, or respectability; suspicious: the candidate's doubtful past. See Usage Note at doubt.

doubt'ful·ly adv., doubt'ful·ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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