disputable
/dɪˈspjuːtəbl/ (bre, ipa) · /dɪˈspjuːtəbl/ (ame, ipa) · /də̇ˈspyü|təbəl |tə-; ˈdispyə|, ˈdiˌspyü|/ (ame, mw)
disputable — adjective
- disputablepositive
- more disputablecomparative
- most disputablesuperlative
1. able to be argued against because the facts or reasons supporting it are not ful
able to be argued against because the facts or reasons supporting it are not fully proven, so people can reasonably hold a different view.
Whether the new tax will help small shops is highly disputable among local owners.
predicative use: whether-clause + 'is disputable'
Kenji argued that the survey results were disputable because only forty people answered.
predicative + 'because'-clause giving the reason for doubt
It is disputable whether the team really played better than last season.
Elena published a disputable claim that coffee makes children grow taller.
The judge said the witness's memory of the evening was clearly disputable.
- debatable
near-identical and more common in everyday speech
- questionable
broader; can also suggest possible dishonesty, while disputable is purely about evidence
- contestable
more formal/legal; suggests a claim that someone could actively challenge
- arguable
lighter; often used by speakers introducing their own view, e.g. 'it is arguable that…'
- indisputable
directly opposite: clearly true, beyond reasonable doubt
- undeniable
stronger; not just well-supported but impossible to refuse
- certain
everyday opposite when the contrast is about doubt vs sureness
文法句型
it is disputable whether/that-clause
highly/clearly disputable
用法筆記
Frequently predicative after 'be' with a whether-clause or that-clause ('it is disputable whether…'). Subject of an attributive use is usually a claim, point, conclusion, figure, or interpretation — not a person or an everyday object.