arguable
Not clearly settled
Arguable has two nearly opposite uses.
Something arguable can be defended with reasons: It's arguable that the policy has helped.
But arguable also means open to doubt or dispute: Whether it helped is arguable.
The first sense appears most often with "arguably," meaning a case can be made: She's arguably the best player on the team.
Able to be challenged
- contestableAble to be challenged
- questionableOf uncertain validity
- contentiousInclined toward disagreement
- controvertibleAble to be contested
moot · open · negotiable · unsettled · disputed · unresolved · open-ended · defensible
Of uncertain reliability
- doubtfulUncertain of truth
- inconclusiveNot yielding a decision
- unprovenNot yet established
- tentativeUncertain and provisional
speculative · hypothetical · unconfirmed · unclear · ambiguous · equivocal · indeterminate · nebulous
Based on personal perspective
- contextualRelative to surrounding conditions
- nuancedHaving fine distinctions
- ambivalentHaving contradictory feelings
- multivalentHaving multiple values or meanings
construable · readable · viewpoint · angle · framing · lens · slant · spin
Causing sharp disagreement
- contentiousInclined toward disagreement
- polarizingCausing sharp division
- disputedArgued over, unresolved
- contestedArgued against, disputed
heated · provocative · inflammatory · sensitive · thorny · vexed · fraught · charged
disputable
Able to be challenged
- contestableAble to be challenged
- questionableOf uncertain validity
- contentiousInclined toward disagreement
controvertible · moot · open · negotiable · unsettled · disputed · unresolved · open-ended · defensible · supportable
dubious
Of uncertain reliability
- doubtfulUncertain of truth
- inconclusiveNot yielding a decision
- unprovenNot yet established
tentative · speculative · hypothetical · unconfirmed · unclear · ambiguous · equivocal · indeterminate · nebulous · iffy
subjective
Based on personal perspective
- contextualRelative to surrounding conditions
- nuancedHaving fine distinctions
- ambivalentHaving contradictory feelings
multivalent · construable · readable · viewpoint · angle · framing · lens · slant · spin
divisive
Causing sharp disagreement
- contentiousInclined toward disagreement
- polarizingCausing sharp division
- disputedArgued over, unresolved
contested · heated · provocative · inflammatory · sensitive · thorny · vexed · fraught · charged · hot-button
arguableindisputable
Impossible to contest
unarguable · inarguable · incontrovertible · undeniable · unquestionable
arguableuntenable
Impossible to maintain
indefensible · unsupportable · unjustifiable · implausible · groundless