Doubtful: meaning, definitions and examples

🤔

Add to dictionary

doubtful

[ˈdaʊtfʊl ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

feeling uncertain or hesitant

Feeling doubtful means having a lack of confidence in something or being unsure about its truth or accuracy. It can also refer to feeling hesitant or indecisive.

Synonyms

hesitant, skeptical, uncertain.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
doubtful	Use 'doubtful' when you want to express a feeling of uncertainty or lack of conviction about something that might happen or be true. She was doubtful about the success of the event. It is doubtful that they will arrive on time.
uncertain	Use 'uncertain' when expressing lack of certainty or confidence about something, often regarding the future or an outcome. He felt uncertain about his future career path. The outcome of the match remains uncertain.
skeptical	Use 'skeptical' when expressing a sense of doubt or disbelief, especially with a connotation of questioning the truth or validity of something. Typically, this has a slightly negative connotation. She was skeptical about the claims made in the advertisement. He remained skeptical despite all the convincing arguments.
hesitant	Use 'hesitant' when someone is unsure about making a decision and is showing reluctance or indecision. He was hesitant to invest in the new project. She seemed hesitant before accepting the job offer.

Examples of usage

I'm doubtful about his ability to complete the project on time.
She looked at him with a doubtful expression.
The weather forecast seems doubtful for our picnic tomorrow.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

not reliable or trustworthy

When something is described as doubtful, it means it is not to be relied upon or trusted. It implies a lack of credibility or dependability.

Synonyms

questionable, suspect, unreliable.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
doubtful	Best used when expressing uncertainty or lack of conviction about something. I'm doubtful that the weather will hold up for the picnic. She seemed doubtful about accepting the job offer.
unreliable	Appropriate for describing someone or something that cannot be depended upon or trusted. The old car is quite unreliable and breaks down often. He is an unreliable witness.
questionable	Used to describe something that is suspicious or lacks clear legitimacy. The company's business practices are quite questionable. His claims about the project’s success are questionable.
suspect	Often used to indicate something is likely to be dishonest or dangerous, carries a negative connotation. The police suspect foul play in the case. Her motives for helping are suspect.

Examples of usage

The information provided by that source is highly doubtful.
The company's financial stability is doubtful at this point.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from Middle English 'doutous', which means 'full of doubt'.
It has roots in the Old French 'douteux', which is connected to 'douter', the verb for 'to doubt'.
The base Latin word 'dubitare' means 'to hesitate' or 'to waver', showcasing the uncertainty behind the term.

Psychology

Doubt can serve as a protective mechanism, making individuals scrutinize a situation before making decisions.
Feeling doubtful often prompts people to seek more information or opinions from others, leading to better-informed choices.
Cognitive dissonance arises when someone doubts their beliefs, motivating them to re-evaluate or change those beliefs.

Literature

Doubtful characters often drive narratives, creating tension and conflict that engages readers.
In Shakespeare's works, characters express doubt to highlight their inner conflicts and moral dilemmas.
Modern literature uses themes of doubt to explore existential questions and the reliability of perception.

Pop Culture

In movies, characters often face 'doubtful' moments that lead to character growth or decision-making crises.
The song 'I Want to Believe' reflects the theme of doubt in the context of faith and understanding.
Doubt is a frequent theme in psychological thrillers, where characters grapple with their perceptions and surroundings.

Philosophy

René Descartes famously said, 'I think, therefore I am', suggesting that doubt is a path to understanding one's existence.
Skepticism, a philosophical approach, encourages doubt as a means to assess beliefs and validate truths.
Doubt is crucial in philosophical debates about morality, truth, and knowledge, prompting deeper inquiry.

Translations

Translations of the word "doubtful" in other languages:

🇵🇹 duvidoso

🇮🇳 संदिग्ध

🇩🇪 zweifelhaft

🇮🇩 ragu-ragu

🇺🇦 сумнівний

🇵🇱 wątpliwy

🇯🇵 疑わしい

🇫🇷 douteux

🇪🇸 dudoso

🇹🇷 şüpheli

🇰🇷 의심스러운

🇸🇦 مشبوه

🇨🇿 pochybný

🇸🇰 pochybný

🇨🇳 可疑的

🇸🇮 dvomljiv

🇮🇸 vafasöm

🇰🇿 күдікшіл

🇬🇪 ეჭვიანი

🇦🇿 şübhəli

🇲🇽 dudoso

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #4,387, this word represents useful upper-intermediate vocabulary. Understanding and using it will help you express more complex ideas effectively.

...
4384 imprisonment
4385 consistently
4386 excluding
4387 doubtful
4388 associate
4389 magic
4390 splendid
...