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
Synonyms
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
Following Robertson’s death in 2020, however, the fate of his house was uncertain.
—
Allison C. Meier, CNN, 14 Apr. 2024
Even so, the intelligence community has urged Congress to pass a reauthorization of the legislation before the program enters a sort of legal limbo, where the outcomes of court challenges to it would be uncertain.
—Charlie Savage, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2024
Whether there's the political will to address this crisis, however, remains uncertain, given the rigidity of HIV-era regulations and the invisibility of patients at risk.
—Simar Bajaj, NPR, 11 Apr. 2024
The 2024 box office faces an uncertain future after the Oscars marked a last hurrah for ‘Barbenheimer.’
More big stories
Ramadan is ending this week.
—Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2024
In recent weeks a few Fed officials, though notably not Powell himself, thought even two cuts might be uncertain.
—Paolo Confino, Fortune, 10 Apr. 2024
The challenge is unprecedented and the outcome uncertain.
—IEEE Spectrum, 10 Apr. 2024
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools acted fast to implement the Parents’ Bill of Rights, but internal emails reveal many teachers and administrators remained uncertain about how to do so.
—Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 8 Apr. 2024
The timeline for rebuilding the Key Bridge is even more uncertain.
—Leslie Shapiro, Washington Post, 5 Apr. 2024
Allison C. Meier, CNN, 14 Apr. 2024
Even so, the intelligence community has urged Congress to pass a reauthorization of the legislation before the program enters a sort of legal limbo, where the outcomes of court challenges to it would be uncertain.
—Charlie Savage, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2024
Whether there's the political will to address this crisis, however, remains uncertain, given the rigidity of HIV-era regulations and the invisibility of patients at risk.
—Simar Bajaj, NPR, 11 Apr. 2024
The 2024 box office faces an uncertain future after the Oscars marked a last hurrah for ‘Barbenheimer.’
More big stories
Ramadan is ending this week.
—Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2024
In recent weeks a few Fed officials, though notably not Powell himself, thought even two cuts might be uncertain.
—Paolo Confino, Fortune, 10 Apr. 2024
The challenge is unprecedented and the outcome uncertain.
—IEEE Spectrum, 10 Apr. 2024
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools acted fast to implement the Parents’ Bill of Rights, but internal emails reveal many teachers and administrators remained uncertain about how to do so.
—Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 8 Apr. 2024
The timeline for rebuilding the Key Bridge is even more uncertain.
—Leslie Shapiro, Washington Post, 5 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'uncertain.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near uncertain
Cite this Entry
“Uncertain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/uncertain. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
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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