doubtless

doubtless
doubtless, no doubt, undoubtedly, doubtlessly
1. Fowler (1926) rightly noted that doubtless and no doubt, used adverbially, convey probability rather than certainty about what follows, so that They are doubtless [or no doubt] guilty and No doubt he [or He doubtless] meant well connote no more than strong belief and reassurance respectively. If real conviction is intended, it is important to use undoubtedly or without (a or any) doubt, as is shown by substituting them in the example already given: They are undoubtedly [or without doubt] guilty.
2. Doubtlessly, for long made unnecessary by the adverbial role of doubtless, is making a strong comeback, first in the US and then in Britain:

• The current argument…doubtlessly offers a cogent and easily understood explanation for the current deadlock in East–West relations —Washington Post, 1984

• The overall effect is of a sobriety that can…make even Britten's doubtlessly ‘greater’ War Requiem sound a mite theatrical —Independent, 1994.


Modern English usage. 2014.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Doubtless — Doubt less, a. Free from fear or suspicion. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] Pretty child, sleep doubtless and secure. Shak. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Doubtless — Doubt less, adv. Undoubtedly; without doubt. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • doubtless — index axiomatic, categorical, certain (positive), clear (certain), definite, demonstrable, indubi …   Law dictionary

  • doubtless — mid 14c. (adv.), mid 15c. (adj.), from DOUBT (Cf. doubt) + LESS (Cf. less). Related: Doubtlessly …   Etymology dictionary

  • doubtless — [adv] certainly; most likely absolutely, apparently, assuredly, clearly, easily, for sure, indisputably, no ifs ands or buts*, of course, ostensibly, positively, precisely, presumably, probably, seemingly, supposedly, surely, truly, undoubtedly,… …   New thesaurus

  • doubtless — ► ADVERB ▪ very probably. DERIVATIVES doubtlessly adverb …   English terms dictionary

  • doubtless — [dout′lis] adj. [ME douteles] Rare free from doubt; sure adv. 1. without doubt; certainly 2. probably doubtlessly adv. doubtlessness n …   English World dictionary

  • doubtless — [[t]da͟ʊtləs[/t]] ADV: ADV with cl/group If you say that something is doubtless the case, you mean that you think it is probably or almost certainly the case. He will doubtless try and persuade his colleagues to change their minds... Doubtless he …   English dictionary

  • doubtless — doubtlessness, n. /dowt lis/, adv. Also, doubtlessly. 1. without doubt; certainly; surely; unquestionably. 2. probably or presumably. adj. 3. free from doubt or uncertainty; certain, sure. [1300 50; ME douteles. See DOUBT, LESS] Syn. 1, 2.… …   Universalium

  • doubtless —  , undoubtedly, indubitably   Tonight he faces what is doubtlessly the toughest and loneliest choice of his 13 year stewardship of the Palestine Liberation Organization (Washington Post). Since doubtless can be an adverb as well as an adjective,… …   Bryson’s dictionary for writers and editors

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