PROBLEMATIC Synonyms: 99 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'problematic' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of problematic are doubtful , dubious , and questionable . While all these words mean "not affording assurance of the worth, soundness, or certainty of something," problematic applies especially to things whose existence, meaning, fulfillment, or realization is highly uncertain. // whether the project will ever be finished is problematic

Q: When might 'doubtful' be a better fit than 'problematic'?

The words doubtful and problematic are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, doubtful implies little more than a lack of conviction or certainty. // doubtful about whether I said the right thing

Q: When can 'dubious' be used instead of 'problematic'?

The synonyms dubious and problematic are sometimes interchangeable, but dubious stresses suspicion, mistrust, or hesitation. // dubious about the practicality of the scheme

Q: When is it sensible to use 'questionable' instead of 'problematic'?

While the synonyms questionable and problematic are close in meaning, questionable may imply no more than the existence of doubt but usually suggests that the suspicions are well-grounded. // a man of questionable honesty

problematic

adjective

ˌprä-blə-ˈma-tik

variants also problematical

Definition of problematic next

as in difficult

requiring exceptional skill or caution in performance or handling the problematic situation of somehow having two dates for the same party

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in questionable

giving good reason for being doubted, questioned, or challenged whether we should even bother finishing the project at this point is problematic

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective problematic contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of problematic are doubtful, dubious, and questionable. While all these words mean "not affording assurance of the worth, soundness, or certainty of something," problematic applies especially to things whose existence, meaning, fulfillment, or realization is highly uncertain.

whether the project will ever be finished is problematic

When might doubtful be a better fit than problematic?

The words doubtful and problematic are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, doubtful implies little more than a lack of conviction or certainty.

doubtful about whether I said the right thing

When can dubious be used instead of problematic?

The synonyms dubious and problematic are sometimes interchangeable, but dubious stresses suspicion, mistrust, or hesitation.

dubious about the practicality of the scheme

When is it sensible to use questionable instead of problematic?

While the synonyms questionable and problematic are close in meaning, questionable may imply no more than the existence of doubt but usually suggests that the suspicions are well-grounded.

a man of questionable honesty

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of problematic Robinson has been just embroiled in scandal, really problematic for Republicans. —

ABC News, 3 Nov. 2024 Mayor Michael Hancock got the ball rolling on that in 2022 with his adaptive reuse task force, but the costs associated with converting large buildings, especially those built in the 1970s and 1980s, have proven problematic. —

Aldo Svaldi, The Denver Post, 31 Oct. 2024 Dismayed by tedious, mandatory and frequently counterproductive diversity, equity and inclusion seminars that treat white skin as almost inherently problematic? —

Bret Stephens, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024 For those of us with seasonal allergies, pollen is especially problematic. —

Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 4 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for problematic

Recent Examples of Synonyms for problematic

Adjective

Antiaircraft fire kept the bombers so high, however, that aim was difficult to manage, and the bombs fell indiscriminately, destroying more than 4,300 homes while damaging three-quarters of the city's factories.

Lorenzino Estrada, The Arizona Republic, 22 Nov. 2024
The decomposition products of chloramines are difficult to isolate and identify, and this substance has proven particularly elusive.

Tom Hawking, Popular Science, 22 Nov. 2024