tvivelaktigt

Tvivelaktigt is a Swedish adjective meaning doubtful, dubious, or questionable. It is used to describe statements, sources, evidence, or other claims whose truthfulness or reliability is suspect, and it often carries a critical or skeptical nuance. The term can refer to both factual credibility and moral or logical integrity, depending on context.

Etymology and forms: the word is formed from tvivel, doubt, with the suffix -aktig, yielding tvivelaktig meaning characterized by doubt. In plural form it becomes tvivelaktiga (uppgifter, påståenden, källor). The predicative neuter form tvivelaktigt is used in constructions like det verkar tvivelaktigt or det är tvivelaktigt, where the adjective agrees with a neuter subject or functions as a predicative complement.

Usage and nuances: tvivelaktigt is common in formal, analytical, and journalistic writing, where the reliability of sources or the soundness of an argument is in question. It implies more than mere uncertainty; there is an element of potential unreliability or fakiness that warrants scrutiny. It is less harsh than words meaning outright falsehood but stronger than neutral terms like osäker (uncertain) or tveksam (sceptical).

Related terms and alternatives: synonyms include tveksam, osäker, and osann, depending on degree and context. Tvivelaktigt focuses on credibility and integrity, whereas tveksam may emphasize doubt more broadly, and osäkerhet relates to lack of certainty rather than internal unreliability.

See also: language and usage notes on Swedish adjectives for discussing credibility and sources.