Definition

1. Adverb:
   • In a manner expressing doubt or uncertainty: "dubiously" describes the way someone acts or speaks when they are not sure about something or find it hard to believe.
   • In a questionable or suspicious manner: "dubiously" also describes how something is done in a way that raises doubts about its honesty, quality, or legitimacy.

Usage Examples

• Expressing doubt:

  • She looked at the strange dish dubiously before taking a small bite. (Her look showed she was uncertain and hesitant.)
  • "Are you sure this will work?" he asked dubiously. (He asked in a tone full of doubt.)

• Describing a questionable manner:

  • The contract was dubiously signed without any witnesses present. (The manner of signing was suspicious and not standard.)
  • Funds were acquired dubiously, leading to an investigation. (The way the funds were obtained was questionable.)

Advanced Usage

• "to eye someone/something dubiously": to look at someone or something with suspicion or doubt.

  • The customs officer eyed the traveler's documents dubiously. (The officer examined the documents with a suspicious look.)

• Used to modify adjectives of quality: It can intensify the sense of doubt about a characteristic.

  • a dubiously safe structure (a structure whose safety is very much in question)
  • dubiously sourced information (information obtained from questionable origins)

Variants and Related Words

• Dubious (adj): feeling doubt or hesitancy; of questionable value or truth.

  • I am dubious about his promises. (I doubt his promises are true.)
  • a dubious claim (a claim that is hard to believe)

• Dubiousness (n): the state of being doubtful or questionable.

  • The dubiousness of the evidence weakened the case. (The doubtful nature of the evidence made the case less strong.)

Synonyms

• Doubtfully: in a manner showing uncertainty.
• Skeptically: in a manner showing doubt about the truth of something.
• Questionably: in a manner open to doubt or challenge.
• Suspiciously: in a manner causing a feeling that something is wrong.

Antonyms

• Confidently: in a sure and certain manner.
• Certainly: in a definite and unquestionable way.
• Unquestionably: in a manner that is not open to doubt.

Adverb

1. in a doubtful manner
   • Gerald shook his head doubtfully
2. in a questionable and dubious manner
   • these were estates his father questionably acquired