dubious
2 synonyms and 5 antonyms for dubious, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Causing doubt or suspicion; of questionable quality or honesty.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
dubitable
Synonyms by Meaning
1. adj
Causing doubt or suspicion; of questionable quality or honesty.
“He made a dubious claim about curing illness with crystals.”
dubitable
doubtful
Opposites
2. adj
Feeling uncertain or hesitant about something.
“She looked dubious when he promised the plan would work.”
Opposites
How to use dubious
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
dubious claim
dubious honour
look dubious
Etymology
From Latin dubius, related to duo ("two") — the idea of being torn between two possibilities.
Full origin of dubious →Frequently asked questions
What does “dubious” mean?
The word “dubious” means causing doubt or suspicion; of questionable quality or honesty. In plain terms, not fully trustworthy or certain — either something suspicious, or a feeling of doubt.
How do you pronounce “dubious”?
“Dubious” is pronounced JOO-bee-uhs (/ˈdu.bi.əs/ in IPA).
How do you use “dubious” in a sentence?
Here is “dubious” used in a sentence: “He made a dubious claim about curing illness with crystals.”
What part of speech is “dubious”?
“Dubious” is an adjective.
Where does the word “dubious” come from?
The word “dubious” comes from Latin. From Latin dubius, related to duo ("two") — the idea of being torn between two possibilities.
Is “dubious” a common word?
“Dubious” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “dubious” have?
“Dubious” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: causing doubt or suspicion; of questionable quality or honesty.
