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Definitions

certain

[sur-tn] / ˈsɜr tn /
ADJECTIVE
confident
Synonyms
STRONGEST
convinced positive sure
WEAK
assertive assured believing calm cocksure questionless sanguine satisfied secure self-confident unconcerned undisturbed undoubtful undoubting unperturbed untroubled
Antonyms
STRONGEST
doubtful uncertain unsure
WEAK
doubting dubious faltering hesitant unconfident undecided
ADJECTIVE
undoubtable, valid
Synonyms
STRONGEST
absolute clear definite genuine positive real safe sure true undeniable
WEAK
ascertained authoritative conclusive confirmable demonstrable destined determined establishable evident firm fixed guaranteed having down pat in the bag incontrovertible indubitable infallible irrefutable known on ice plain predestined provable reliable salted away set sound supreme trustworthy unambiguous undoubted unequivocal unerring unmistakable verifiable
Antonyms
STRONGEST
counterfeit doubted doubtful false invalid uncertain unreal unsure vague
WEAK
questionable unpredictable unreliable
ADJECTIVE
fixed
Synonyms
STRONGEST
definite sure
WEAK
assured bound certified concluded decided determined ensured established guaranteed insured set settled stated stipulated warranted
Antonyms
STRONGEST
indefinite uncertain
WEAK
doubtful dubious questionable unfixed unpredictable unreliable
ADJECTIVE
referring to a specifically known amount
Synonyms
STRONGEST
individual numerous particular precise special specific specified various
WEAK
a couple a few defined divers express many marked one regular several singular some sundry upwards of
Antonyms
STRONGEST
common general imprecise indefinite inexact usual
WEAK
questionable uncertain undecided unpredictable unsure

Usage

What are other ways to say certain?

Certain, one of a handful of adjectives indicating full belief and trust that something is true, 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. Sure, the simplest and most general term, expresses mere absence of doubt. 

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.

But he rejected the offer, demanding a 20-year suspension—a term Iran was certain to reject.

From Slate • May 7, 2026

The war may be nearing its end, but the cleanup in certain markets will continue.

From Barron's • May 7, 2026

Paul Gigot: Learning that the things that you believe, which you can believe as fervently as you can, and we all do queue to certain principles, but you get challenged.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 7, 2026

In the face of whipsawing mortgage rates, spring home buyers want something certain.

From MarketWatch • May 7, 2026

He consented when I told him that I wanted to do this for a certain purpose.

From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock

Vocabulary lists containing certain

The Real Deal: Synonyms for "True"

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List 1

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A Sure Thing: Synonyms for "Definite"

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