unsure

adjective

un·​sure ˌən-ˈshu̇r How to pronounce unsure (audio)
-ˈshər,
 especially Southern  -ˈshȯr
: not marked by or given to feelings of confident certainty : not sure
was unsure of what to do
Phrases
unsure of oneself
: lacking confidence in one's abilities
… he's a little unsure of himself when it comes to the music world …Seth Mnookin

Examples of unsure in a Sentence

unsure of her ability to handle the pressure of competing in the Olympic Games
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
While many restaurant chains have suffered in recent years as diners wracked by inflation eat out less, analysts were unsure if the chain's value perception contributed to Chipotle's issues. Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 30 Oct. 2025 At 25, when half her friends ran off to marry well and the other half were hell-bent on climbing the corporate ladder, Bizu found herself in the middle, unsure whether to pursue a boyfriend or a business plan. Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 28 Oct. 2025 Ron explains that the tumor started growing back in 2018 and past doctors were unsure about how to approach such a challenging facial reconstruction. Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025 By the end of March 2018 Aydın seemed unsure whether to try to clear his name or lay low, vacillating between the two strategies. Moisés Naím, Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for unsure

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unsure was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Unsure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unsure. Accessed 1 Nov. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on unsure

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