certainty

noun

cer·tain·ty | \ ˈsər-tᵊn-tē

plural certainties

Definition of certainty

1 : something that is certain

2 : the quality or state of being certain especially on the basis of evidence

Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Example Sentences Learn More about certainty

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Choose the Right Synonym for certainty

certainty, certitude, conviction mean a state of being free from doubt. certainty and certitude are very close; certainty may stress the existence of objective proof claims that cannot be confirmed with scientific certainty , while certitude may emphasize a faith in something not needing or not capable of proof. believes with certitude in an afterlife conviction applies especially to belief strongly held by an individual. holds firm convictions on every issue

Examples of certainty in a Sentence

Scientists still do not know with any degree of certainty why the disease spread so quickly. We cannot predict the outcome with absolute certainty. There was no certainty that the package would arrive in time. Her certainty about these complex moral issues is surprising.

Recent Examples on the Web

Nonetheless, despite his doctor's purported certainty, typhoid fever wasn't officially attached to Albert's records until seven days after his death. — Lauren Hubbard, Town & Country, "How Did Queen Victoria's Husband Prince Albert Die?," 4 Mar. 2019 In the course of compiling its annual Emerging Trends report, the Urban Land Institute found that the only certainty in its outlook for 2019 was uncertainty. — Patrick Sisson, Curbed, "The 10 top emerging trends that will shape real estate in 2019," 10 Oct. 2018 Her understanding of the character had come all at once, with certainty. — Nathan Heller, Vogue, "Claire Foy on Becoming a Mother and Trading Her Crown for a Dragon Tattoo," 10 Oct. 2018 Organizations are still moving forward and finding ways to reach potential donors, but there’s still no way to say with certainty how donations will be affected. — Hayley Harding, courant.com, "Total Charitable Donations In Connecticut Rises; Number Of Individuals Giving Falls," 21 June 2018 And in the government’s temporary reopening, even that is no certainty. — Neena Satija, The Seattle Times, "Federal contractors who lost health insurance during shutdown remain in limbo," 28 Jan. 2019 Living on the edge of safety and certainty all the time pushed me to seek to understand my connection to the universe and alignment with my truth. — Jeremiah M. Bogert Jr, latimes.com, "How Liz Clark turned her South Pacific sailing trip into a memoir and visual voyage," 5 June 2018 The 2015 rule included no such threshold, but had acknowledged that there was less certainty about the mortality risk with lower concentrations of the pollutant. — Niina Heikkinen, Scientific American, "EPA Plan Would Discount Health Benefits of Reducing CO2 Emissions," 26 Mar. 2018 Mr Pompeo’s bullishness, by contrast, is amplified by a politician’s ideological certainty and eagerness to score partisan points. — The Economist, "The Trump-whisperer," 15 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'certainty.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.