certitude

noun

cer·​ti·​tude ˈsər-tə-ˌtüd 

 also  -ˌtyüd

plural certitudes

1

: the state of being or feeling certain

2

: certainty of act or event

3

: something that is certain : certainty

In the United States, death is feared … . Though it is a certitude that we all must deal with someday …

—Anne M. Johnson

Synonyms

• certainty
• assurance
• confidence
• conviction

Choose the Right Synonym for certitude

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 certitude in a Sentence

believes with certitude that he is the best candidate for the job

Recent Examples on the Web

Both also blamed those who were not responsible, traded in the language of contagions and moral certitude, and believed that controlling the medium could solve the problem — or, at the very least, not deepen the problem further. —Kevin Dickinson, Big Think, 2 Sep. 2025

To those worried about an unchecked secularism, Dobson was a powerful agitator for his version of moral certitude and fundamentalist faith. —Philip Elliott, Time, 21 Aug. 2025

Their certitude attracted me to the drug, which last fall secured U.S. regulatory approval as standalone therapy for schizophrenia. —Jim Cramer, CNBC, 27 Apr. 2025

Coyle may think not, but some of us will dismiss Coyle’s certitude not with magic, but with market signals. —John Tamny, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Late Latin certitudo, from Latin certus

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for certitude

• altitude
• amplitude
• aptitude
• attitude
• barbecued
• desuetude
• devalued
• finitude
• fortitude
• gratitude
• interlude
• interviewed

Kids Definition

certitude

noun

cer·​ti·​tude ˈsərt-ə-ˌt(y)üd 

: certainty