arguable at best

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "arguable at best" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that a statement or claim is open to debate or interpretation, and that its validity is uncertain or weak. Example: "The effectiveness of the new policy is arguable at best, as there is little evidence to support its success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

That theory struck me as arguable at best – especially with respect to Koolhaas, a rationalist if ever there was one.

The Guardian - Arts

That's arguable at best — and, in any case, there's not much formal distance from Louis-Léopold Boilly's realistically textured lithographs of grimacing, slightly-more-grotesque-than-life faces to the contemporary caricaturist Drew Friedman's work, or from the woozy 17th-century "Satire on an Artist's Studio" scribbled by somebody in Guercino's circle to an Ed Koren cartoon in The New Yorker.

The New York Times - Books

My choices are arguable, at best, I realize.

Huffington Post

Holder assured his audience that this policy follows the letter of international law a claim that's arguable at best.

Vice

Anyone who looks at the tiff between Reebok and Nike over Tim Tebow jerseys will likely see that's arguable, at best.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

She talks of McCullers's "place among the era's great writers" -- a highly arguable description, at best -- and argues that "the adolescent spirit at the heart of Carson's work" is "precisely what keeps her writing fresh".

The New York Times - Books

Korsgaard thinks, contra Mill's famous assertion about humans' superior capacity for "higher pleasures," that it's at best arguable that to be a dissatisfied Socrates is better than being a satisfied pig.

The New York Times

Nevertheless, the efficacy of the above mentioned therapy against idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is arguable and only provides symptomatic relief at best.

Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica

It's arguable at this stage which model is best suited for the U.K. The outcome of where the U.K. ends up will depend on the strength of the negotiators.

TechCrunch

Ms. von Trotta isn't a historian, and it's arguable that her allegiance to the historical record need not be as firm as her commitment to her art, which here appears tenuous at best.

The New York Times

At best.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "arguable at best", ensure the context clearly indicates the specific aspect being questioned. For instance, specify what is "arguable at best" to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "arguable at best" when the claim is demonstrably false or completely unsupported. This phrase suggests a degree of plausibility, however small, that might be misleading if the claim is entirely without merit.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "arguable at best" functions as an evaluative qualifier, tempering a statement by suggesting that its validity is questionable. Ludwig AI confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "arguable at best" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express skepticism or qualified agreement, deeming a statement questionable. Ludwig AI validates its usage in various contexts, primarily within news and media. While deemed correct, remember to use this phrase when there is an angle or discussion point to be made in the argument you're analysing, instead of something that is outright false. Alternatives like "debatable at best" or "questionable at best" offer similar nuances. Use the phrase "arguable at best" to temper your response and show disagreement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

debatable at best

Replaces "arguable" with "debatable", emphasizing the uncertainty and possibility of dispute.

questionable at best

Substitutes "arguable" with "questionable", highlighting doubts about the validity or accuracy of something.

dubious at best

Replaces "arguable" with "dubious", suggesting a strong sense of uncertainty and suspicion.

tenuous at best

Changes "arguable" to "tenuous", indicating that something is fragile and not well-supported.

uncertain at best

Replaces "arguable" with "uncertain", focusing on the lack of clarity or confidence.

unconvincing at best

Replaces "arguable" with "unconvincing", suggesting the claim lacks the power to persuade.

weak at best

Uses "weak" to replace "arguable", emphasizing lack of strength or force.

flimsy at best

Replaces "arguable" with "flimsy", portraying the argument as lacking substance.

optimistic at best

Highlights the contrast between the hopeful expectation and the reality, suggesting a more realistic negative outlook.

challenging at best

Shifts focus to the difficulty involved, implying that success is unlikely or limited.

FAQs

How can I use "arguable at best" in a sentence?

You can use "arguable at best" to express that a statement or claim is open to debate and its validity is uncertain. For example, "The effectiveness of that strategy is "arguable at best", as there is little evidence to support it."

What are some alternatives to saying "arguable at best"?

Alternatives include "debatable at best", "questionable at best", or "dubious at best" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "arguable at best" formal or informal?

"Arguable at best" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it is generally more suitable for analytical or critical discussions rather than casual conversation.

What does "arguable at best" imply about the claim being discussed?

"Arguable at best" implies that the claim is weak, lacks strong evidence, and is open to significant doubt or disagreement. It suggests that the claim might have some basis but is ultimately unconvincing.