dubious intelligence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dubious intelligence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe information or insights that are questionable or unreliable in nature. Example: "The report was based on dubious intelligence, leading to flawed conclusions about the situation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Leslie Kritzer's Jovie has to warm up to Buddy — overweight, socially awkward, of dubious intelligence; what's not to like? — in too much of a hurry.

The New York Times

The report documents how time and again Mr. Bush and his team took vague and dubious intelligence reports on Iraq's weapons programs and made them sound like hard and incontrovertible fact.

The New York Times

It is a curious defense, one that acknowledges that the president cited dubious intelligence and admits that the vetting process failed, while arguing that history may yet prove him right.

The New York Times

The series, which arrived a month ago on MTV, seemed on paper as if it would be just another make-strangers-share-a-house reality show: eight young people of dubious intelligence and accomplishment were thrown together in a lavishly appointed residence in Seaside Heights, about an 80-mile drive from Manhattan, for a hormonally charged, alcohol-fueled summer.

The New York Times - Arts

What's more, by March, a number of reporters — including Seymour M. Hersh, in these pages — had published stories about this dubious intelligence and the pressure that the Pentagon and the Vice-President's office had been exerting on the C.I.A. to square the evidentiary circle.

The New Yorker

In 1839, the British invaded Afghanistan on the basis of dubious intelligence about a nonexistent threat: information about a single Russian envoy to Kabul, the Afghan capital, was manipulated by a group of ambitious hawks to create a scare about a phantom Russian invasion, thus bringing about an unnecessary, expensive and wholly avoidable conflict.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

The British-American push to war involves dubious, possibly cooked intelligence, and voices of dissent inside both governments are silenced and suborned.

The New York Times

The appeals court majority, in a manifestly incorrect decision, said that the government's dubious and uncorroborated intelligence report about Mr. Latif had to be treated as reliable and accurate, like official tax receipts, unless there was "clear evidence to the contrary" — shifting the burden of proof to the detainee.

The New York Times

Officials at the Mossad thought the Kenyan intelligence was dubious, and the Mossad ought to know.

The New Yorker

The forty-five-minutes claim was based on genuine intelligence, however dubious it might have been, but it was deliberately misinterpreted.

The New Yorker

President Assad poured scorn on the David Cameron's assertion that 70,000 moderate rebels could defeat Isis (Getty) Foreign political leaders are often more dubious about what their intelligence services really know.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "dubious intelligence", ensure the context clearly indicates why the intelligence is questionable. Specify whether it's due to biased sources, flawed methodology, or lack of corroboration for example.

Common error

Avoid using "dubious intelligence" when a more neutral term like "preliminary intelligence" or "uncorroborated intelligence" is more appropriate. Overusing strong language can undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dubious intelligence" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "dubious" modifies the noun "intelligence". It describes intelligence (information, data, insights) that is questionable, unreliable, or of uncertain validity. Ludwig AI confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dubious intelligence" is a noun phrase used to describe information or insights that are questionable or unreliable. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature, indicating that it is suitable for neutral contexts, particularly in news and media. The phrase appears with uncommon frequency, primarily in news and media sources, highlighting the importance of scrutinizing information. When using "dubious intelligence", it's crucial to contextualize why the intelligence is questionable to avoid overstating the case and maintain credibility. Alternatives include "questionable information" or "unreliable insights", depending on the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

questionable information

Focuses on the trustworthiness of the information itself, rather than the overall intelligence.

unreliable insights

Highlights the lack of dependability in the analysis or understanding gained.

suspect data

Emphasizes the uncertainty and potential inaccuracy of the raw data.

shaky evidence

Points to the weakness and fragility of the supporting evidence.

flawed analysis

Indicates mistakes or weaknesses in the analytical process.

tenuous evidence

Highlights that the proof is weak and could easily be refuted.

dubious information gathering

Focuses on the questionable methods of data collection.

implausible analysis

Underlines that the analysis is not credible

weak insights

Indicates insights are fragile, feeble and potentially wrong.

debatable findings

Indicates that the findings are up to debate and may be potentially wrong.

FAQs

How can I use "dubious intelligence" in a sentence?

You might say, "The decision was made based on "dubious intelligence" regarding the enemy's capabilities", implying the information was questionable.

What are some alternatives to "dubious intelligence"?

Consider using "questionable information", "unreliable insights", or "suspect data", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "dubious intelligence" or "doubtful intelligence"?

Both "dubious intelligence" and "doubtful intelligence" are acceptable, but "dubious" often suggests a stronger reason for skepticism than "doubtful". "Dubious" implies there's something inherently suspicious or unreliable about the intelligence.

How does "dubious intelligence" differ from simply saying "bad intelligence"?

"Bad intelligence" is a general term for inaccurate or ineffective information. "Dubious intelligence" implies that the information's reliability is specifically in question, potentially due to its source or how it was gathered.