doubtful Meaning, Definition & Usage

adjective satellite open to doubt or suspicion
in question; dubitable; dubious.
- 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
adjective satellite fraught with uncertainty or doubt
dubious.
- they were doubtful that the cord would hold
- it was doubtful whether she would be admitted
- dubious about agreeing to go
adjective satellite unsettled in mind or opinion
tentative.
- drew a few tentative conclusions

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