uncertainty

noun

un·​cer·​tain·​ty ˌən-ˈsər-tᵊn-tē How to pronounce uncertainty (audio)
1
: the quality or state of being uncertain : doubt
2
: something that is uncertain
Choose the Right Synonym for uncertainty

uncertainty, doubt, dubiety, skepticism, suspicion, mistrust mean lack of sureness about someone or something.

uncertainty may range from a falling short of certainty to an almost complete lack of conviction or knowledge especially about an outcome or result.

assumed the role of manager without hesitation or uncertainty

doubt suggests both uncertainty and inability to make a decision.

plagued by doubts as to what to do

dubiety stresses a wavering between conclusions.

felt some dubiety about its practicality

skepticism implies unwillingness to believe without conclusive evidence.

an economic forecast greeted with skepticism

suspicion stresses lack of faith in the truth, reality, fairness, or reliability of something or someone.

regarded the stranger with suspicion

mistrust implies a genuine doubt based upon suspicion.

had a great mistrust of doctors

Examples of uncertainty in a Sentence

There is some uncertainty about the company's future. He accepted the position without hesitation or uncertainty.
Recent Examples on the Web Coming off the heels of a turbulent year in 2023 due to Hollywood’s writers’ and actors’ strikes, the Black women in the film and television industry deserved to receive their flowers for shouldering the ebbs and flows of uncertainty. Dominique Fluker, Essence, 22 Mar. 2024 Complications for Leonsis in Virginia have injected significant uncertainty into the plan to move the teams. Meagan Flynn, Washington Post, 22 Mar. 2024 One reason this works so well is that Elice’s book, especially in the first act, trusts the audience to live with (and profit from) a certain amount of uncertainty. Jesse Green, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2024 In a sign of the uncertainty around Haiti’s ability to push back the gangs, Voltaire, the council candidate, said that the next government might consider hiring private security companies. Caitlin Stephen Hu, CNN, 21 Mar. 2024 Americans’ satisfaction with their personal lives—a measure that usually dips in times of economic uncertainty—is at a near-record low, according to Gallup polling. George Makari, The Atlantic, 21 Mar. 2024 Today, access to credit is tightening because of the uncertainty of both the economy and the regulatory environment. Bill Himpler, Fortune, 21 Mar. 2024 Putting both of these things together, and other potential issues, Morris says the zone of uncertainty for a poll with a sample of about a thousand people is now six or seven points. John Cassidy, The New Yorker, 16 Mar. 2024 Amid ongoing questions and theories about Kate’s well-being, the controversy has only sparked more public uncertainty in the monarchy. Kelsie Gibson, Peoplemag, 12 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'uncertainty.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of uncertainty was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near uncertainty

Cite this Entry

“Uncertainty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/uncertainty. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

uncertainty

noun
un·​cer·​tain·​ty ˌən-ˈsərt-ᵊn-tē How to pronounce uncertainty (audio)
1
: lack of certainty
2
: something that is uncertain

More from Merriam-Webster on uncertainty

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