doubtfulness

doubtfulness — noun

1. the state or feeling of being unsure whether something is true, real, correct, o

1.nounB2
Definition

the state or feeling of being unsure whether something is true, real, correct, or likely to succeed

Example

Amani expressed doubtfulness about the company's financial reports when the numbers did not add up.

doubtfulness + about + noun phrase

There was a clear doubtfulness in Jack's voice as he described the experiment's surprising results.

doubtfulness + in + possessive noun phrase

Common collocations
  • doubtfulness about
  • doubtfulness of
  • some doubtfulness
  • considerable doubtfulness
  • doubtfulness over
Synonyms
  • uncertainty

    more common in everyday use; broader in meaning, covering any lack of certainty

  • doubt

    more personal and subjective than doubtfulness; often implies a specific reason for questioning

  • skepticism

    implies a deliberate questioning attitude rather than a passive state of being unsure

  • ambiguity

    focuses on unclear meaning or multiple possible interpretations rather than uncertainty about truth

Antonyms
  • certainty

    complete confidence or sureness

  • assurance

    a positive declaration intended to remove doubt

Grammar Patterns

doubtfulness + about + noun phrase

doubtfulness + of + noun phrase

Usage Note

Doubtfulness is a more formal and less common alternative to 'doubt' or 'uncertainty'. It often appears in written analysis, academic discussion, or legal contexts rather than everyday conversation.

Common Mistakes

I have a doubtfulness about his plan.
I have doubts about his plan.
'Doubtfulness' is uncountable; use 'doubts' (countable plural) for personal feelings of uncertainty.
There are many doubtfulnesses in her argument.
There is much doubtfulness in her argument.
'Doubtfulness' is uncountable and has no plural form.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words relate to a lack of sureness, but they differ in emphasis and register. 'Uncertainty' is the broadest and most neutral word — it simply describes a situation where the outcome or truth is not known. 'Doubt' is more personal and active; it suggests that a person has specific reasons for questioning something. 'Doubtfulness' is a more formal and less frequent synonym for 'doubt', often used in legal or academic writing to describe the quality of being doubtful rather than the feeling itself. 'Skepticism' implies a deliberate, questioning mindset — a person who is skeptical actively looks for reasons to doubt. 'Ambiguity' is different: it refers to unclear or multiple possible meanings, not a lack of certainty about truth. For example: 'There is uncertainty about the election results' (neutral); 'I have doubts about his honesty' (personal); 'The doubtfulness of the claim weakened the case' (formal quality); 'The scientist approached the theory with skepticism' (active questioning); 'The ambiguity of the contract led to a dispute' (unclear meaning).

uncertainty ↗doubt ↗skepticism ↗ambiguity ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • an air of doubtfulness
  • a note of doubtfulness
  • with some doubtfulness
  • express doubtfulness about

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchMiddle EnglishEnglish

Formed from the adjective 'doubtful' (which combines Middle English 'doute' meaning 'uncertainty' with the suffix '-ful') plus the noun suffix '-ness'. The word entered English in the late 14th century, following the same pattern as 'certainness' and other abstract quality nouns.