Definitions for: Doubtful


[adj] fraught with uncertainty or doubt; "they were doubtful that the cord would hold"; "it was doubtful whether she would be admitted"; "dubious about agreeing to go"
[adj] open to doubt or suspicion; "the candidate's doubtful past"; "he has a dubious record indeed"; "what one found uncertain the other found dubious or downright false"; "it was more than dubitable whether the friend was as influential as she thought"- Karen Horney
[adj] unsettled in mind or opinion; "drew a few tentative conclusions"



Webster (1913) Definition: Doubt"ful, a.
1. Not settled in opinion; undetermined; wavering; hesitating
in belief; also used, metaphorically, of the body when its
action is affected by such a state of mind; as, we are
doubtful of a fact, or of the propriety of a measure.

Methinks I should know you, and know this man; Yet I
am doubtful. --Shak.

With doubtful feet and wavering resolution.
--Milton.



2. Admitting of doubt; not obvious, clear, or certain;
questionable; not decided; not easy to be defined,
classed, or named; as, a doubtful case, hue, claim, title,
species, and the like.

Beauty is but a vain and doubtful good. --Shak.

Is it a great cruelty to expel from our abode the
enemy of our peace, or even the doubtful friend [i.
e., one as to whose sincerity there may be doubts]?
--Bancroft.

3. Characterized by ambiguity; dubious; as, a doubtful
expression; a doubtful phrase.

4. Of uncertain issue or event.

We . . . have sustained one day in doubtful fight.
--Milton.

The strife between the two principles had been long,
fierce, and doubtful. --Macaulay.

5. Fearful; apprehensive; suspicious. [Obs.]

I am doubtful that you have been conjunct And
bosomed with her. --Shak.

Syn: Wavering; vacillating; hesitating; undetermined;
distrustful; dubious; uncertain; equivocal; ambiguous;
problematical; questionable.

Synonyms: dubious, dubitable, in question(p), incertain, questionable, tentative, uncertain, unsettled, unsure

 Try our:
Scrabble Word Finder

Scrabble Cheat

Words With Friends Cheat

Hanging With Friends Cheat

Scramble With Friends Cheat

Ruzzle Cheat



Related Resources:
animals begin with u
animals starting with s