questionable

questionable — adjective

1. if something is questionable, there are reasons to doubt whether it is true, acc

1.adjectiveB2
Definition

if something is questionable, there are reasons to doubt whether it is true, accurate, or of good quality

Example

Shirin questioned the company's profit figures because the data seemed questionable.

collocation: questionable data / questionable figures

The judge threw out the evidence after the defence showed it was of questionable origin.

collocation: questionable origin

Common collocations
  • questionable data
  • questionable figures
  • questionable evidence
  • questionable origin
  • questionable quality
  • questionable taste
  • questionable claim
Synonyms
  • doubtful

    more neutral and slightly weaker than questionable; can refer to any lack of certainty

  • dubious

    more formal than questionable; often suggests active suspicion

  • uncertain

    broader in scope; does not carry the sense of suspicion that questionable does

Antonyms
  • certain

    the opposite of doubtful

  • reliable

    the opposite of being untrustworthy or inaccurate

Common Mistakes

The data is questionable wrong.
The data is questionable.
'questionable' already conveys doubt; do not add another word like 'wrong' after it.

2. if a person's actions or behaviour are questionable, people have good reason to

2.adjectiveB2
Definition

if a person's actions or behaviour are questionable, people have good reason to suspect the person is being dishonest or doing something that is not morally right

Example

Heather's questionable business practices included charging customers for services they never received.

collocation: questionable business practices

The politician's questionable behaviour during the election led to an official investigation.

Common collocations
  • questionable practices
  • questionable behaviour
  • questionable methods
  • questionable motives
  • questionable conduct
  • questionable dealings
  • questionable ethics
Synonyms
  • dubious

    more formal; suggests stronger suspicion of dishonesty than questionable

  • shady

    informal; suggests dishonest or possibly illegal activity

  • suspicious

    can describe both people and actions; wider in use than questionable

Antonyms
  • ethical

    morally correct and honest

  • above board

    informal phrase meaning honest and open in business dealings

Usage Note

Subject is usually a person's actions, behaviour, practices, or methods — not the person themself. Saying 'a questionable person' is unnatural in English.

Common Mistakes

He is a very questionable person.
His actions are questionable.
'questionable' describes behaviour or practices, not a person directly.