dubiousness

USAGE SUMMARY

'dubiousness' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it when you want to express a feeling of doubt or uncertainty. For example, "The dubiousness of her explanations made me suspicious of her intentions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

Why? Gabriel H Sahlgren, the author of a book on the dubiousness of the Finnish miracle claims it is "because its centralised curriculum has ignored certain concepts that are not tested in Pisa".

The Guardian

"Brits 45 mins from Doom," screamed the Sun, a popular British tabloid.The dubiousness of the 45-minute claim (which, it later emerged, applied only to battlefield weapons) has dominated several earlier inquiries into Britain's pre-war intelligence.

The Economist

Given the dubiousness of Ukrainian opinion polls, the reluctance of many voters to admit their true intentions and the large number of undecideds, it is hard to say.

The Economist

Diocletian's biography has been obscured by legends, rhetoric, the dubiousness of documents, and the hostility of his adversaries.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The artist has said that his intent was satirical, having to do with the dubiousness of politicians' campaign promises.

The New Yorker

Donor governments and news organizations viewed U.N. warnings about the number of people at risk with particular dubiousness, not understanding that famine is the last stage in a long process of gradual decline.

The New Yorker

References are the language of shared experience, and Ansari traffics heavily in cultural signifiers, from movie titles and celebrity name-drops to a bit about the dubiousness of bed-sheet thread counts.

The New Yorker

The revelation of the extent of the British police's spying, and the dubiousness of some of their tactics, caused a scandal that has yet to be resolved.

The New Yorker

Despite the media hype around these efforts to convey their moral dubiousness, the political credibility of individuals involved remained largely intact.

The New York Times

They're not self-parodies but, rather, warnings about the dubiousness of reputation and about the dangers of taking the cult of authorship too seriously.

The New York Times - Books

The dubiousness of judging aesthetic achievement by committee has been a common subject for complaint ever since awards began proliferating like wildflowers in the last half-century.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context carefully. While "dubiousness" can be used in many situations, it is most effective when highlighting the questionable nature of something that is generally accepted or presented as factual.

Common error

Avoid using "dubiousness" when you simply mean 'difficulty' or 'complexity'. "Dubiousness" specifically implies a question of honesty, reliability, or validity, not just an obstacle or intricate situation.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "dubiousness" is as a noun, specifically referring to the state or quality of being dubious. It describes the abstract concept of something being questionable or doubtful, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

19%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Dubiousness" is a noun that signifies the state of being doubtful or questionable. As Ludwig's analysis shows, it is grammatically sound and frequently appears in formal contexts such as news articles, scientific publications, and encyclopedias. The term is best used to highlight a lack of credibility or trustworthiness in a claim or situation. While synonyms like "uncertainty" and "skepticism" exist, "dubiousness" carries a slightly stronger connotation of suspicion. Using this term effectively can enhance the precision and impact of your writing, but, as emphasized by Ludwig, ensure the context genuinely involves a question of validity rather than mere complexity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

questionability

Focuses more directly on the quality of being open to question.

doubtfulness

Emphasizes the presence of doubt regarding something.

uncertainty

Highlights the lack of sureness or confidence.

skepticism

Refers to a tendency to question or doubt accepted opinions.

suspicion

Implies a feeling of distrust or a belief that something is wrong.

reservation

Indicates a feeling of doubt or hesitation about something.

apprehension

Suggests anxiety or fear that something bad might happen.

implausibility

Highlights the lack of believability or likelihood.

tenuousness

Indicates a lack of strength or certainty.

ambiguity

Emphasizes the quality of being open to more than one interpretation.

FAQs

How can I use "dubiousness" in a sentence?

You can use "dubiousness" to describe the quality of being doubtful or questionable. For example, "The "dubiousness of the claims" made it difficult to believe the report".

What's the difference between "dubiousness" and "doubt"?

"Dubiousness" is the state of being doubtful, while "doubt" is the feeling or state of uncertainty or lack of conviction. "Dubiousness" is a quality, while "doubt" is a state of mind.

Are there synonyms for "dubiousness"?

Yes, synonyms include "doubtfulness", "uncertainty", "skepticism", and "suspicion". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "dubiousness" in formal writing?

Yes, "dubiousness" is suitable for formal writing, especially when you need to express a considered opinion about the questionable nature of something. However, ensure the context warrants such a strong term.