Both Uses
dubious
in
The Nickel Boys
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- He almost turned the channel, but Harriet wasn't here to cluck over the double meanings in the lyrics, her explanations of which always left him mystified and dubious.†
p. 41.8 *dubious = doubtful; or suspicious; or full of uncertainty -- sometimes to indicate that something described as good is actually bad
- Carter gave him a quick, dubious nod and turned to tell a thumb-sucker in the corner to knock it off.†
p. 63.7
Definitions:
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(1)
(dubious) doubtful, questionable, or suspicious -- especially in a way that makes something seem unreliable, improper, or uncertain
doubtfulin various senses, including:- questionable or doubtful that something should be relied upon -- as in "The argument relies on a dubious assumption."
- suspicious or doubtful that something is morally proper -- as in "The company is accused of using dubious sales practices to influence minors."
- bad or of questionable value -- as in "The state has the dubious distinction of the highest taxes."
- uncertain or doubtful -- as in "She is dubious about making the change."
- (2) (meaning too rare to warrant focus)