Standard Lemma guide

dubiousness

noun · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

The state of being dubious or suspicious.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable, usually

Examples

  • The dubiousness of the old rope bridge deterred me from trying to cross.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

Doubt; uncertainty.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable, usually

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

uncertainty about the truth or factuality or existence of something

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • the dubiousness of his claim
  • there is no question about the validity of the enterprise

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: doubt, doubtfulness, question

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: uncertainty, uncertainness, precariousness

4

noun

Meaning 4

the state of being unsure of something

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: doubt, uncertainty, incertitude, dubiety, doubtfulness

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: cognitive state, state of mind

Narrower terms: mental reservation, reservation, arriere pensee, misgiving, mistrust, distrust, suspicion, incredulity, disbelief, skepticism, mental rejection, indecision, indecisiveness, irresolution, peradventure, suspense

History

Etymology

Etymology tree Latin dubiusbor. English dubious Proto-Germanic *-in- Proto-Indo-European *-h2 Proto-Indo-European *-éh2 Proto-Indo-European *-yéti Proto-Indo-European *-eh2yéti Proto-Indo-European *-h2ti Proto-Germanic *-ōną Proto-Germanic *-inōną Proto-Indo-European *-dyé- Proto-Germanic *-atjaną Proto-Indo-European *-tus Proto-Germanic *-þuz Proto-Germanic *-assuz Proto-Germanic *-inassuz Proto-West Germanic *-nassī Old English -nes Middle English -nesse English -ness English dubiousness From dubious + -ness.