adj
Common
questionable
KWEHST-shuh-nuhbl
Questionable (adj) means Open to doubt; not clearly true, sound, or reliable. Example: “The evidence for the claim is questionable at best.”
adj
1
Open to doubt; not clearly true, sound, or reliable.
"The evidence for the claim is questionable at best."
"His methods were widely seen as questionable."
"The quality of the used car seemed questionable, so we decided not to buy it."
2
Possibly dishonest or improper.
"She was accused of some questionable business practices."
"It's a questionable move to fire someone right before the holidays."
"The council asked questions about the questionable way the contract had been awarded."
How to use questionable
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDoubtful, or possibly dishonest or unwise.
Common pairings
questionable decision
questionable ethics
of questionable quality
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more questionable
- Superlative
- most questionable
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The evidence for the claim is _____ at best.
Etymology
From question + -able.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
unquestionable
Related words
Rhymes for questionable
See all rhymes for questionable →Frequently asked questions
What does “questionable” mean?
The word “questionable” means open to doubt; not clearly true, sound, or reliable. In plain terms, doubtful, or possibly dishonest or unwise.
How do you pronounce “questionable”?
“Questionable” is pronounced KWEHST-shuh-nuhbl (/ˈkwɛst͡ʃənəbl̩/ in IPA).
How do you use “questionable” in a sentence?
Here is “questionable” used in a sentence: “The evidence for the claim is questionable at best.”
What part of speech is “questionable”?
“Questionable” is an adjective.
Is “questionable” a common word?
“Questionable” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “questionable” have?
“Questionable” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: open to doubt; not clearly true, sound, or reliable.
What is the difference between questionable and dubious?
Both describe something open to doubt, but "questionable" more broadly covers anything not clearly true, sound, or reliable, while "dubious" often carries a slightly stronger suggestion of suspicion or unease. In practice the two are close synonyms and are frequently used interchangeably.
Does calling something questionable always imply it is dishonest?
Not always. "Questionable" can simply mean something is open to doubt or not clearly reliable, such as a questionable decision, but it can also specifically suggest possible dishonesty or impropriety, as in "questionable business practices." The intended meaning usually depends on context.
What is the difference between a questionable decision and a questionable person's behavior?
A "questionable decision" typically means the choice is doubtful in soundness or wisdom, without necessarily implying dishonesty. "Questionable behavior" more often hints at possible impropriety or dishonesty on the part of the person acting.
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