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.
Coming home without that unused tortilla press or those ill-fitting shorts does provide a certain sense of satisfaction.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 16, 2026
Recognizing that certain content creators want to provoke rather than reflect reality creates useful cognitive distance.
From Science Daily • Jun. 16, 2026
It’s far from certain that Qualcomm can become a major force in the data-center chip business.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 16, 2026
She is "certain it led to more children being born, just not enough to reverse the trend".
From BBC • Jun. 15, 2026
It was precisely the third time he’d erupted through the door and the third time, he was certain, that Gingersnipes would shriek and spill something and demand he quit doing that.
From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman
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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