doubtful
/'dautful/
Definition
- Adjective:
- Feeling or showing uncertainty or lack of conviction: Describes a state of mind where one is unsure, hesitant, or not fully convinced about something.
- Open to question or dispute; not certain or settled: Refers to something that is questionable, ambiguous, or not clearly established.
- Of uncertain outcome; not likely or probable: Indicates a low probability of success or a negative result.
Usage and Examples
To express personal uncertainty:
- She was doubtful about the plan's feasibility. (She was not convinced the plan would work.)
- I am doubtful that he will arrive on time. (I am not confident he will be punctual.)
To describe something as questionable or ambiguous:
- The authenticity of the document is doubtful. (The document's genuineness is suspect.)
- He gave a doubtful answer, avoiding a clear commitment. (His answer was non-committal and unclear.)
To indicate an unlikely or improbable outcome:
- The team's chances of winning now look doubtful. (It now seems unlikely the team will win.)
- It is doubtful whether the project will receive funding. (It is not probable that the project will get funds.)
Advanced Usage
- "To be doubtful of/about something": To have reservations or lack confidence in something.
- Investors are increasingly doubtful of the company's long-term strategy.
- "In doubtful cases": In situations where the outcome or correctness is uncertain.
- In doubtful cases, the committee will seek external advice.
Variants and Related Words
- Doubtfully (adverb): In a manner showing uncertainty.
- She looked at him doubtfully, unsure whether to believe his story.
- Doubtfulness (noun): The state or quality of being doubtful.
- The doubtfulness of the evidence led to an acquittal.
Synonyms
- Uncertain: Not able to be relied on; not known or definite.
- Dubious: Hesitating or doubting; not to be relied upon.
- Questionable: Doubtful as to truth or quality.
- Tentative: Not certain or fixed; provisional.
Antonyms
- Certain: Known for sure; established beyond doubt.
- Confident: Feeling or showing certainty about something.
- Definite: Clearly stated or decided; not vague.
Idioms and Phrases
- A doubtful proposition: An idea or plan that is unlikely to succeed or be accepted.
- Trying to finish the work in one day is a doubtful proposition.
- Cast doubt on: To cause something to be questioned or viewed with suspicion.
- The new evidence cast doubt on the original verdict. (Note: This phrase uses "doubt," not "doubtful," but is conceptually related.)
Adjective
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unsettled in mind or opinion
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drew a few tentative conclusions
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fraught with uncertainty or doubt
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they were doubtful that the cord would hold
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it was doubtful whether she would be admitted
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dubious about agreeing to go
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open to doubt or suspicion
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the candidate's doubtful past
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he has a dubious record indeed
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what one found uncertain the other found dubious or downright false
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it was more than dubitable whether the friend was as influential as she thought- Karen Horney
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