questionably
1
6.1
- adverb
- /ˈkwɛs.tʃən.ə.bli/
:
cuestionablemente
- However, earlier work (Collins, 1931) with a questionably small sample of only six subjects had shown that trained subjects had more accurate color memory.
- questionably effective
So what made and makes London so attractive to those with questionably sourced funds?
- So what made and makes London so attractive to those with questionably sourced funds?
- That's also questionably questionable whether it's more efficient or better.
Examples
-
The level of that value is is questionably attained, but it's probably low.
-
Now we have a generation of kids holding $1 trillion in debt, all on a questionably valuable piece of paper.
Blog text (32) -
Even what is traditionally considered useful energy is questionably so.
Blog text (3) -
So what made and makes London so attractive to those with questionably sourced funds?
-
Sturm has made a career out of questionably titled defenses, but it's impressive nonetheless.
Blog text (29) -
Rather more questionably, the IEA does still see total liquids growing, albeit slightly, all the way to 2030.
Blog text (6) -
Stains for HMB-45 were negative, and stains for S-100 protein were questionably positive in occasional cells.
Academic text (1996) -
Items were rated using one of four behaviorally referenced anchors (0 = absent, 1 = questionably present, 2 = present, 3 = severe).
Academic text (1993) -
While Monica Lewinsky's extracurricular activities led to the impeachment of the leader of the free world, Monica Goodling's overly zealous and questionably legal actions merely led to her own resignation and renewed debate about the proper role of politics within the Justice Department.
Academic text (2008) -
Many people find the new policy questionably fair, given its impact on low-income families.
Synonyms
43
3.8
In a way that shows you do not trust someone
8
4.4
Showing doubt that something is true
8
6.8
In a way that shows you do not believe something
4
3.8
In a way that shows you are not sure and have little confidence
3
6.7
In a way that shows doubt or little trust
3
3.3
In a way that shows doubt or a wish to know more
In a way that shows you are hiding something or feeling guilty
In a way that shows doubt about what someone wants
In a way that shows you do not trust someone
In a way that shows doubt or disapproval, often by looking sideways
How Doubtful
Surface Forms
Morphology
questionably = questionable (transparent) = question + able + ly
The adverb is formed regularly from the adjective 'questionable' with '-ly', and the meaning is directly recoverable.
Etymology
Questionably comes from the common word question, which means 'to ask' or 'to doubt', plus the ending -able meaning 'able to be' and -ly meaning 'in this way'. So questionably literally means 'in a way that can be questioned', which is why we use it to say something is doubtful or suspicious.