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as in reliable
not likely to fail a sure cure for the winter blues—a week in the Bahamas

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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sure

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adverb

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective sure contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of sure are certain, cocksure, and positive. While all these words mean "having no doubt or uncertainty," sure usually stresses the subjective or intuitive feeling of assurance.

felt sure that I had forgotten something

When is certain a more appropriate choice than sure?

In some situations, the words certain and sure are roughly equivalent. However, certain may apply to a basing of a conclusion or conviction on definite grounds or indubitable evidence.

police are certain about the cause of the fire

When would cocksure be a good substitute for sure?

The words cocksure and sure can be used in similar contexts, but cocksure implies presumptuous or careless positiveness.

you're always so cocksure about everything

Where would positive be a reasonable alternative to sure?

The synonyms positive and sure are sometimes interchangeable, but positive intensifies sureness or certainty and may imply opinionated conviction or forceful expression of it.

I'm positive that's the person I saw

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of sure
Adjective
Faint praise, sure, but the 11th pick came on strong late last season after a very shaky start and has only gained more steam since. John Hollinger, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025 The children aren’t sure yet what this will mean to them, and Durst inhabits that uncertainty alongside them. Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2025
Adverb
And the move sure bit the Avalanche in the first round last year. Sean Gentille, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025 Oh sure, there’s the occasional supernova and a bit of unrest as huge gas clouds collide and start to form stars. Phil Plait, Scientific American, 16 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sure
Adjective
  • Elegant, confident and eternally expressive, both make a stylish pair, effortlessly turning heads while basking in the adoration.
    Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
  • Officials, though, are less confident that a trade agreement discussed in July will be finalized, as the countries remain deadlocked over the details of Seoul’s $350 billion investment pledge.
    Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Almost six months into the ban, however, and questions are being asked whether the ongoing restrictions are excessive, and no longer necessary.
    Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2025
  • That won’t be the case this season; the Lakers are all-in on Luka heliocentricism, with James’ early absence due to sciatica making that commitment even more necessary.
    John Hollinger, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Chaco is known for making great hiking sandals, and its boots are sure to be just as durable and reliable with the same heavy-duty outsole and comfortable footbed for walking long distances.
    Kelsey Glennon, Travel + Leisure, 29 Oct. 2025
  • In just the past decade, late-night shows’ bookings—a reliable rite of passage for musical artists on the edge of a breakthrough—have dropped significantly, to barely 200 performances in 2023.
    Jonathan Garrett, The Atlantic, 29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • In my experience, this is especially true in the lonely hours of the night while struggling with chronic pain.
    Joni Eareckson Tada, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
  • For most Galatasaray supporters, domestic titles were never the true measure of success; Europe was.
    The Athletic UK Staff, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Researchers further explain that the discovery of microscopic deformation features in quartz provides conclusive proof that the Jinlin crater was formed by an asteroid impact.
    Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Advertisement What the NFL changed to reduce injuries In recent years, as research about CTE has become more conclusive, some sports leagues have begun to concede that head impacts are a problem.
    Alana Semuels, Time, 20 Oct. 2025
Adverb
  • The vibes are definitely compromised around Anfield.
    Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Some other state, possibly culminating in a singularity but definitely not an inflationary state itself, must have preceded it.
    Big Think, Big Think, 24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • In some cases, sportsbooks have taken down odds on certain events to protect against manipulation.
    Preston Fore, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Also, they’re simply banned at certain sites, including all of Greece’s ancient monuments, for preservation reasons.
    Asia London Palomba, Travel + Leisure, 25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • In their statement, Shalom's owners told Public Investigator natural deaths are inevitable at any zoo.
    Quinn Clark, jsonline.com, 27 Oct. 2025
  • When these run out however, devaluation is inevitable, usually causing a recession.
    Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 26 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sure. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.

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