highly dubious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "highly dubious" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to be doubtful or questionable in nature or credibility. You can use "highly dubious" to describe something that you are skeptical about or unsure of its truth or validity. It can be used to express strong doubt or suspicion towards something. Example: The politician's promises of change seem highly dubious to many voters, given his track record of broken promises and scandals.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

This is highly dubious.

The Guardian - Books

But this is a highly dubious assumption.

The Economist

That is a highly dubious assertion.

The New York Times

And even these figures are highly dubious.

The New Yorker

This retrospective title-stripping is highly dubious.

The Guardian - Opinion

What's more, it's based on highly dubious evidence.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This, of course, is a highly dubious claim.

The New York Times

Some philanthropy watchers are highly dubious about this all-in-the-family approach.

The New York Times - Magazine

This was, truth be told, a highly dubious stance from one so experienced.

The Guardian - Sport

Depending on your perspective, this might sound like a dream job or a highly dubious occupation.

The Guardian - Books

Mr. Judt himself does not defend either of these highly dubious propositions.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "highly dubious" when you want to express strong skepticism or doubt about a claim, statement, or situation. Ensure the context supports the need for such a firm expression of doubt.

Common error

Avoid using "highly dubious" in situations where a milder expression of uncertainty would suffice. Overusing strong language can diminish its impact and make your writing seem overly critical.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "highly dubious" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, expressing a strong sense of doubt or skepticism. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in questioning claims or statements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

14%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "highly dubious" is a common and correct way to express strong doubt or skepticism, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It functions as an adjective phrase and is predominantly used in news and media, science, and encyclopedic contexts. While grammatically sound, it's important to use it judiciously to avoid sounding overly critical. Alternatives like "very questionable" or "extremely doubtful" can be considered depending on the context. When using "highly dubious", ensure it appropriately reflects the level of uncertainty you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dubious at best

Highlights that something is questionable even under favorable interpretations.

very questionable

Emphasizes the quality of being open to doubt or suspicion.

extremely doubtful

Highlights a strong sense of uncertainty or disbelief.

open to doubt

Suggests that something is not certain and can be questioned.

highly suspect

Implies a strong sense of suspicion and distrust.

rather unconvincing

Indicates a lack of believability or persuasiveness.

of questionable validity

Focuses on doubts about the accuracy or soundness.

patently false

Indicates an obvious or undeniable falsehood.

subject to skepticism

Implies that something is likely to be met with doubt or disbelief.

highly improbable

Suggests that the likelihood of something occurring is very low.

FAQs

How to use "highly dubious" in a sentence?

You can use "highly dubious" to express strong doubt or skepticism about something. For example: "The company's claims about its environmental impact are "highly dubious"."

What can I say instead of "highly dubious"?

You can use alternatives like "very questionable", "extremely doubtful", or "open to doubt" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "highly dubious" or "slightly dubious"?

"Highly dubious" indicates a strong sense of doubt, while "slightly dubious" suggests a milder uncertainty. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the degree of doubt you wish to express.

What's the difference between "highly dubious" and "highly suspicious"?

"Highly dubious" suggests that something is questionable or not believable, while "highly suspicious" implies a strong sense of distrust or that something illegal or unethical may be occurring. The choice depends on whether you are questioning credibility or suspecting wrongdoing.