dubious
Adjective
Medium difficulty
What does “dubious” mean?
adjective.hesitating or doubting.
SAT Usage
this term often appears in contexts related to skepticism, ethics, or decision-making, particularly in discussions of trustworthiness or credibility. It emphasizes a sense of uncertainty or a lack of conviction, distinguishing it from words like "suspicious," which suggests a more active distrust, while this term conveys a more passive doubt or hesitation.
Common Confusions
Dubious implies a sense of hesitance or uncertainty about something's credibility, while suspicious usually suggests a more active distrust or belief that something is wrong or deceptive.
Do not choose dubious if the context emphasizes certainty or confidence rather than hesitating or doubting.
Example Sentences
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The evidence for the claim seemed highly dubious.