certain
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.
A group of budget airlines has asked Congress for relief from certain ticket taxes, and last month sought $2.5 billion in government assistance to help offset higher fuel costs.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 17, 2026
The poem survives today because it was copied into certain manuscripts of Ecclesiastical History of the English People, an 8th century history written in Latin by the English monk Bede.
From Science Daily • May 17, 2026
They were accused of not allowing sufficient space on the edge of certain fields to allow rare flowers to grow by spreading fertiliser, slurry and weed killer without permission.
From BBC • May 16, 2026
The insurers had alleged that they were shielded from antitrust liability under both California and federal law due to a certain legal doctrine.
From Los Angeles Times • May 16, 2026
He seemed happy to answer my endless questions, chatting about everything from the various dynastic eras to the differences among vessel forms and the characteristics of certain hardwoods.
From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu
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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