2
general::
doubt
to think that something may not be true or that it is unlikely:
• ‘Do you think she really is eighteen?’ ‘I doubt it.’ • There was so much noise that I doubt if anyone slept.
be doubtful/dubious
to doubt that something will happen, is true, or is a good idea:
• Economists are doubtful that the situation will improve this year. • ‘You can eat the whole fish including the head.’ Janey looked dubious. • When my husband suggested emigrating, I was dubious at first. • Mum looked doubtful when I suggested having a party for all my friends.
have reservations
to feel that a plan or idea may not be good because you think there may be some problems with it:
• Health care professionals had reservations about giving both vaccines together.
have misgivings
to feel worried about doing something, because it may have a bad result:
• Ralph had serious misgivings about changing his career at the age of 50.
have mixed feelings
to be unsure exactly how you feel about something or someone because there are both good and bad things about them:
• I have very mixed feelings about moving house – it’s exciting but I’ll miss this area.
have second thoughts
to start having doubts about whether a decision you have just made is the right one:
• I liked the dress in the shop, but when I got it home I had second thoughts.
Longman-Thesaurus
3
general::
doubt
verbs
have doubts
• Scientists still have some doubts about the theory.
have your doubts
(= have some doubts )
• Everyone else thinks it’s a good idea, but I have my doubts.
have no/little doubt
• I have no doubt that you are right.
be in no/any doubt about something
• The government is in no doubt about the seriousness of the situation.
leave no/little doubt (that)
(= make people sure or almost sure about something )
• The evidence left no doubt that he was the murderer.
cast/throw doubt on something
(= make people unsure about something )
• Research has cast doubt on the safety of mobile phones.
raise doubts about something
(= make people unsure about something )
• His handling of the matter has raised doubts about his competence.
call/throw something into doubt
(= make people unsure about something )
• The accuracy of his account was called into doubt.
express/voice doubts
(= say that you have doubts )
• Many people expressed doubts about the necessity of the war.
adjectives
serious/grave doubts
• They have some serious doubts as to his honesty.
considerable doubts
• I had considerable doubts about accepting the job.
a lingering/nagging doubt
(= one that does not go away )
• I still had a nagging doubt that there might be something seriously wrong.
phrases
there is no/little/some doubt
(= used to talk about how sure people are about something )
• There is little doubt that he will play for England one day.
without a shadow of a doubt
(= without any doubt )
• I knew without a shadow of a doubt that I was going to win.
an element of doubt
(= a slight doubt )
• There’s an element of doubt about his true age as he doesn’t have a birth certificate.
not the slightest doubt
(= no doubt )
• There’s not the slightest doubt in my mind about it.
transnet.ir
5
general::
noun ADJ. considerable, grave, real, serious, severe | slight Without the slightest doubt this is a remarkable exhibition. | gnawing, lingering, nagging, niggling | growing, increasing | personal, private He made clear his own private doubts about it. | reasonable We have established beyond all reasonable doubt that the painting was indeed by Rembrandt. | religious VERB + DOUBT arouse, raise His failure to appear raises serious doubts as to his reliability. | entertain, feel, harbour, have She still felt the same niggling doubt: was he really telling the truth? | express, voice | clear up, dispel, remove, resolve The announcement dispelled any doubts as to the prince's intentions. | cast, throw Her record of dismissals casts doubt on her ability to hold down a job. | call sth into, throw sth into The proposed development has been thrown into doubt by the decision. | be open to Their honesty is open to doubt. DOUBT + VERB appear, arise Doubts have arisen over the viability of the schedule. | exist Considerable doubt exists as to the precise origin of this custom. | persist, remain | surround sth From the start, doubts surrounded her claim to be the missing heiress. PREP. beyond (a/all/any) ~ The evidence proves beyond doubt that he is innocent. | in ~ The arrangements for the event still seemed to be in doubt. If in doubt, consult your doctor. | without (a) ~ She is without a doubt the best tennis player I know. | ~ about/over Some committee members still harboured doubts about the plans. PHRASES beyond/without a shadow of (a) doubt This proves without a shadow of doubt that we were right. | have your doubts about sth They say they'll be here on time, but I have my doubts about that., verb ADV. seriously, very much I never seriously doubted his story. | privately Lee privately doubted the truth of this statement.
Oxford Collocations Dictionary