questionable

[kwes-chuh-nuh-buhl]

adjective

1. of doubtful propriety, honesty, morality, respectability, etc..

   questionable activities; in questionable taste.

   Antonyms: certain

2. open to question or dispute; doubtful or uncertain.

   a statement of questionable accuracy.

   Synonyms: dubious, dubitable, controvertible, disputable, debatable

3. open to question as to being of the nature or value suggested.

   a questionable privilege.

questionable

/ ˈkwɛstʃənəbəl /

adjective

1. (esp of a person's morality or honesty) admitting of some doubt; dubious

2. of disputable value or authority

   a questionable text

Other Word Forms

• questionableness noun
• questionability noun
• questionably adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of questionable¹

First recorded in 1580–90; question + -able

Example Sentences

"It's impossible not to be moved by the real-life audio recording that is the centerpiece of Kaouther Ben Hania's hybrid film, but the ethics and execution of the concept are questionable," he wrote.

From BBC

Courts also said it was questionable whether the forgone fitness hearing, as his trial lawyer suggested, would have resulted in any action.

From Los Angeles Times

Her expertise in that space is questionable, too: years ago, she was hit with several lawsuits related to claims about her diet supplements’ effectiveness.

From Salon

Konstantin Akinsha said publicly known cases of disputed works by Malevich and other artists of the period were only "the tip of the iceberg," adding that "thousands of questionable works continue to circulate today".

From BBC

Bryant and Westmoreland were among the first whistleblowers to disclose disturbing and legally questionable aspects of the United States’ nascent drone assassination program.

From Salon

Related Words

• ambiguous 
• arguable 
• controversial 
• debatable 
• dubious 
• problematic 
• suspicious 
• unproven 
• vague