uncertain
adjective
un·cer·tain
ˌən-ˈsər-tᵊn 
1
3
: indefinite, indeterminate
the time of departure is uncertain
4
: not certain to occur : problematical
his success was uncertain
5
: not reliable : untrustworthy
an uncertain ally
uncertainly
adverb
Examples of uncertain in a Sentence
The time of departure is still uncertain.
We are still uncertain of the truth.
She remains uncertain about her plans.
I'm uncertain about how to respond.
The cause of the fire is uncertain.
He has an uncertain temper.
They face a financially uncertain future.
Recent Examples on the Web
This phenomenon has been further propelled by ongoing inflation, high interest rates, and an uncertain economic outlook.
—
Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
In the early, uncertain days of COVID-19, when people were told to stay home to save lives, Lightfoot chose compassion over citations.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 20 May 2025
That example helps to prove that not all uncertain situations can be linked to being in the trenches — Carson last got a game over three years ago anyway and is essentially in the squad these days for (very valuable) morale purposes.
—Sam Lee, New York Times, 19 May 2025
No shock, no blowout Walmart’s strong Q1 performance this year was driven by modest digital growth and grocery share gains, especially from higher-income shoppers trading down in an uncertain economy.
—Catherine Baab, Quartz, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for uncertain
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Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
In the early, uncertain days of COVID-19, when people were told to stay home to save lives, Lightfoot chose compassion over citations.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 20 May 2025
That example helps to prove that not all uncertain situations can be linked to being in the trenches — Carson last got a game over three years ago anyway and is essentially in the squad these days for (very valuable) morale purposes.
—Sam Lee, New York Times, 19 May 2025
No shock, no blowout Walmart’s strong Q1 performance this year was driven by modest digital growth and grocery share gains, especially from higher-income shoppers trading down in an uncertain economy.
—Catherine Baab, Quartz, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for uncertain
Cite this Entry
“Uncertain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/uncertain. Accessed 23 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
uncertain
adjective
un·cer·tain
ˌən-ˈsərt-ᵊn
ˈən-
1
: not definite or fixed
an uncertain quantity
2
a
: not sure
uncertain of the truth
b
: not known for sure
an uncertain claim
3
: likely to change : not dependable
uncertain weather
uncertainly
adverb
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