questionable
/'kwestʃənəbl/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Doubtful or open to doubt: Describes something that is not certain, reliable, or clearly true, and therefore invites questioning or skepticism.
- Morally suspect or of dubious character: Describes something, such as behavior or a person's reputation, that is possibly dishonest, improper, or unethical.
Usage and Examples
- General Use (Doubtful):
- The accuracy of his statement is questionable. (It is not certain if his statement is accurate.)
- They made a questionable decision to invest all their savings. (The wisdom of their decision is doubtful.)
- Use (Morally Dubious):
- The company was involved in questionable business practices. (The practices were ethically suspect.)
- He has a questionable reputation among his peers. (His reputation is not good and is viewed with suspicion.)
Advanced Usage
- "of questionable origin": Having a source that is not known for sure and may be improper or illegal.
- The museum decided not to purchase the artifact because it was of questionable origin.
- "questionable judgment": The quality of making decisions that are not sound or wise.
- Driving in that storm showed questionable judgment.
Variants and Related Words
- Questionably (adverb): In a doubtful or dubious manner.
- The funds were questionably allocated.
- Question (noun/verb): The root word, meaning an inquiry or to ask about something.
- Unquestionable (adjective): The direct opposite, meaning certain, indisputable, or beyond doubt.
Synonyms
- Doubtful: Uncertain or not convinced.
- Dubious: Hesitating or doubting; of questionable value or truth.
- Debatable: Open to discussion or argument.
- Suspect: Not to be relied on or trusted; possibly dangerous or false.
Antonyms
- Unquestionable: Not able to be doubted or questioned.
- Certain: Known for sure; established beyond doubt.
- Indisputable: Unable to be challenged or denied.
Idioms and Common Phrases
- "A questionable character": A person whose honesty or morality is doubtful.
- I wouldn't trust him with money; he's a bit of a questionable character.
- "Leave something questionable": To make something uncertain or doubtful.
- The new evidence left his entire testimony questionable.
Adjective
- able to be refuted
- subject to question
- questionable motives
- a questionable reputation
- a fire of questionable origin