dubious

/'dju:bjəs/

Thân thiện

The manager gave a dubious look at the unusual expense report.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Open to doubt or suspicion: Describing something that is not clearly true, honest, or reliable, and therefore causes uncertainty or mistrust.
   • Feeling doubt or hesitation: Describing a person who is uncertain, skeptical, or not fully convinced about something.

Usage Examples

• Describing something uncertain or questionable:
  • The company's dubious accounting practices attracted the attention of regulators.
  • He gave a dubious explanation for his absence, which no one believed.
• Describing a person who is uncertain:
  • I am dubious about the plan's chances of success.
  • She was dubious and wanted to see more evidence before agreeing.

Advanced Usage

• "to be dubious of/about something": To be skeptical or have doubts concerning something.
  • Many investors are dubious about the startup's long-term viability.
• "of dubious quality/value/merit": Of questionable or uncertain worth.
  • The website is full of information of dubious value.

Variants and Related Words

• Dubiously (adverb): In a doubtful or hesitant manner.
  • He looked at me dubiously when I told him the news.
• Dubiousness (noun): The state or quality of being doubtful.
  • The dubiousness of the claim was apparent to everyone.

Synonyms

• Doubtful: Uncertain or unsure.
• Questionable: Open to doubt or challenge.
• Suspicious: Causing a feeling that something is wrong or dishonest.

Antonyms

• Certain: Known for sure; established beyond doubt.
• Trustworthy: Able to be relied on as honest or truthful.
• Unquestionable: Not able to be doubted or disputed.

Idioms and Phrases

• A dubious distinction: A questionably negative honor or achievement.
  • The city holds the dubious distinction of having the highest crime rate in the country.
• On dubious grounds: Based on reasons that are uncertain or questionable.
  • The contract was terminated on dubious grounds.

Học thuật

Adjective

1. not convinced
   • they admitted the force of my argument but remained dubious
2. open to doubt or suspicion
   • the candidate's doubtful past
   • he has a dubious record indeed
   • what one found uncertain the other found dubious or downright false
   • it was more than dubitable whether the friend was as influential as she thought- Karen Horney
3. fraught with uncertainty or doubt
   • they were doubtful that the cord would hold
   • it was doubtful whether she would be admitted
   • dubious about agreeing to go

Từ đồng nghĩa

• doubtful
• dubitable
• in question