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sure

[shoor, shur] / ʃʊər, ʃɜr /






Usage

What are other ways to say sure? Sure, the simplest and most general of a group of adjectives indicating full belief and trust that something is true, expresses the mere absence of doubt. Certain suggests that there are definite reasons that have freed one from doubt. Confident emphasizes the strength of the belief or the certainty of expectation felt. Positive implies emphatic certainty, which may even become overconfidence or dogmatism. 

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Aston Martin finally showed some signs of life and Alonso made sure to capitalise.

From BBC ● Oct. 4, 2026

But at the first practice last year, some kids weren’t sure which hand the glove went on.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 4, 2026

In a follow-up call, she clarified that her division checks only to be sure the building has passed inspections specifically for a school.

From Salon ● Oct. 4, 2026

“If they do want to leave the money in cash, just make sure they are getting a reasonable yield on the cash,” said David Haas, a certified financial planner and owner of Cereus Financial Advisors.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 3, 2026

“Thank goodness! But I’m sure they didn’t just let it go,” Aunt J says.

From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold

The findings come as young people may see stock-market returns as providing a surer path to wealth than paychecks from a 9-to-5 job.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 18, 2026

February’s “Hoppers” managed a respectable $372 million worldwide, but the surer money now comes from sequels.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 18, 2026

Round after round, the Hurricanes have knocked off teams that seemed surer bets to make the championship.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 9, 2026

If they even had a sliver of doubt before the Munich showdown against PSG they will be even surer now.

From BBC ● May 31, 2025

I felt surer the next day, late in the afternoon, when he finally woke up.

From "Z for Zachariah" by Robert C. O’Brien

Censorship, and worse, are the surest way to elevate an artist and their work.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 19, 2026

Once upon a time, platforming a trend on TV was the surest way to kill it.

From Salon ● Sep. 12, 2026

A willingness to learn from mistakes, this insightful book suggests, may be the surest mark of a great company.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 12, 2026

Cooking produce to 158 degrees Fahrenheit is the surest way to eliminate risk of contamination, experts say.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 23, 2026

“Not at all,” was her answer; “but depend upon it, he means to be severe on us, and our surest way of disappointing him will be to ask nothing about it.”

From "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen




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