doubtful
Feeling rather unsure
Doubtful describes uncertainty or skepticism.
A doubtful outcome is uncertain; a doubtful claim invites skepticism.
Someone who is doubtful has reservations: I'm doubtful we'll finish on time.
The word can also mean unlikely to be true or genuine: evidence of doubtful authenticity.
A doubtful look conveys visible skepticism.
Lacking confidence or certainty
- undecidedNot having chosen
- hesitantSlow to act
- indecisiveUnable to make choices
- waveringShowing unsteady resolve
vacillating · irresolute · unconvinced · ambivalent · equivocal · noncommittal · iffy · unclear
Not likely true
- questionableOf uncertain validity
- uncertainNot firmly known
- debatableOpen to question
- unpromisingShowing little potential
iffy · dicey · chancy · risky · long shot · far-fetched · implausible · touch and go
Expressing unwillingness to believe
- disbelievingRefusing to accept something
- cynicalDoubting human goodness
- suspiciousInclined to distrust
- unconvincedNot yet believing
questioning · distrustful · leery · quizzical · mistrustful · wary · guarded · jaundiced
Slow to act
- tentativeUncertain and provisional
- reluctantUnwilling to act
- reservedRestrained in manner
- guardedWary and restrained
circumspect · apprehensive · chary · careful · measured · reticent · holding back · wait-and-see
Unclear, ill-defined
- unclearNot easily understood
- indefiniteNot precisely determined
- nebulousUnclear and formless
- murkyDark and unclear
fuzzy · indistinct · hazy · obscure · inconclusive · indeterminate · unresolved · borderline
unsure
Lacking confidence or certainty
- undecidedNot having chosen
- hesitantSlow to act
- indecisiveUnable to make choices
wavering · vacillating · irresolute · unconvinced · ambivalent · equivocal · noncommittal · iffy · unclear · perplexed
improbable
Not likely true
- questionableOf uncertain validity
- uncertainNot firmly known
- debatableOpen to question
unpromising · iffy · dicey · chancy · risky · long shot · far-fetched · implausible · touch and go · precarious
incredulous
Expressing unwillingness to believe
- disbelievingRefusing to accept something
- cynicalDoubting human goodness
- suspiciousInclined to distrust
unconvinced · questioning · distrustful · leery · quizzical · mistrustful · wary · guarded · jaundiced · unpersuaded
hesitant
Slow to act
guarded · circumspect · apprehensive · chary · careful · measured · reticent · holding back · wait-and-see · hedging
vague
Unclear, ill-defined
- unclearNot easily understood
- indefiniteNot precisely determined
- nebulousUnclear and formless
murky · fuzzy · indistinct · hazy · obscure · inconclusive · indeterminate · unresolved · borderline · gray area
- certaintycertain, sure, uncertain, unsure, definite
- doubtdoubts, doubting, skepticism, mistrust, suspicion
- skepticismskeptic, doubts, debunker, skeptical, skeptical inquiry
- confusionconfusion, confused, bewilderment, perplexity, baffled
- question tonescurious, skeptical, probing, inquisitive, interrogative
- uncertaintyuncertainty, uncertain, unknown, unsure, unclear
doubtfulreliable
Consistently performing as expected
trustworthy · credible · believable · sound · dependable