dubious
Hard to believe
Dubious expresses doubt or uncertainty.
A dubious claim is one you're not sure you believe; a dubious expression shows skepticism: She gave him a dubious look when he explained his whereabouts.
Something of dubious quality or value is questionable, probably not good: a dubious honor, dubious accounting practices.
The word often implies something is suspect or shady rather than merely uncertain.
Of uncertain validity
- suspectBelieve to be likely
- fishyArousing doubt, colloquially
- dodgyQuestionable in character
- shadyDisreputable or sun-blocked
sketchy · iffy · suspicious · untrustworthy · unreliable · disreputable · unsavory · underhanded
Inclined to question claims
- incredulousExpressing unwillingness to believe
- disbelievingRefusing to accept something
- unconvincedNot yet believing
- cynicalDoubting human goodness
questioning · mistrustful · suspicious · leery · wary · distrustful · guarded · hesitant
Not firmly known
- unsureLacking confidence or certainty
- undecidedNot having chosen
- hesitantSlow to act
- tentativeUncertain and provisional
wavering · indecisive · vacillating · unconvinced · irresolute · noncommittal · ambivalent · torn
Open to question
- disputableAble to be challenged
- arguableOpen to dispute
- controversialCausing public dispute
- contestableAble to be challenged
moot · unproven · unverified · unconfirmed · speculative · inconclusive · tenuous · flimsy
questionable
Of uncertain validity
shady · sketchy · iffy · suspicious · untrustworthy · unreliable · disreputable · unsavory · underhanded · shifty
skeptical
Inclined to question claims
- incredulousExpressing unwillingness to believe
- disbelievingRefusing to accept something
- unconvincedNot yet believing
cynical · questioning · mistrustful · suspicious · leery · wary · distrustful · guarded · hesitant · apprehensive
uncertain
Not firmly known
tentative · wavering · indecisive · vacillating · unconvinced · irresolute · noncommittal · ambivalent · torn · wishy-washy
debatable
Open to question
- disputableAble to be challenged
- arguableOpen to dispute
- controversialCausing public dispute
contestable · moot · unproven · unverified · unconfirmed · speculative · inconclusive · tenuous · flimsy · weak
- doubtdoubts, skepticism, mistrust, suspicion, distrust
- certaintycertain, sure, uncertain, unsure, definite
- Questionableshady, fishy, sketchy, iffy, dodgy
- uncertaintyuncertainty, uncertain, unknown, unsure, unclear
- Unlikelyunlikely, improbable, remote, rare, slim
- suspiciondistrust, suspicion, mistrust, suspiciousness, wary
dubioustrustworthy
Worthy of confidence
reliable · dependable · trusty · reputable · credible
dubiousunquestionable
Cannot be challenged
indisputable · undeniable · indubitable · incontestable · convincing
- dubious honorRecognition better avoided
- dubious honourPraise that stings
- dubious complimentPraise concealing criticism