1
as in one
known but not named a certain person told me that today is your birthday

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
3
4
5
as in reliable
not likely to fail chicken soup is grandma's certain cure for pretty much whatever ails you

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

6

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective certain contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of certain are cocksure, positive, and sure. While all these words mean "having no doubt or uncertainty," 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 certain?

In some situations, the words cocksure and certain are roughly equivalent. However, cocksure implies presumptuous or careless positiveness.

you're always so cocksure about everything

When is it sensible to use positive instead of certain?

While the synonyms positive and certain are close in meaning, positive intensifies sureness or certainty and may imply opinionated conviction or forceful expression of it.

I'm positive that's the person I saw

When could sure be used to replace certain?

The words sure and certain are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, sure usually stresses the subjective or intuitive feeling of assurance.

felt sure that I had forgotten something

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 certain Opponents previously argued against an element of the overlay that would have allowed bonus height on top of the 35-foot maximum — already about as tall as a two-story building — if a developer met certain requirements. Austin Hornbostel, Nashville Tennessean, 20 Aug. 2025 Plus, the 298 young adults recorded in this year’s point-in-time tally is an almost certain undercount. Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Aug. 2025 While certain rooms just need wallpaper and plaster repairs, the home still has knob and tube wiring and old gas light lines that must be brought up to code. Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Aug. 2025 That was possible because the U.S. and China agreed to reduce tit-for-tat tariff hikes and ease export restrictions on rare earth magnets and certain technologies. Dave Smith, Fortune, 20 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for certain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for certain
Adjective
  • Drinkwater didn't make one appearance in a Chelsea shirt last season, whilst Bakayoko spent the season in Italy on loan at AC Milan.
    SI.com, SI.com, 3 Aug. 2019
  • Decisions made by engineers today, in other words, will determine not how one car drives but how all cars drive.
    Johannes Himmelreich, BostonGlobe.com, 30 Mar. 2018
Adjective
  • Calls of three and four clubs agree diamonds, for sure.
    Deb Harvell, Arkansas Online, 17 Aug. 2025
  • But one thing is for sure — Albin’s team is ready to face an opponent who is not wearing green and white.
    Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Younger people are lonelier – many of them have trouble finding stable friendships and are unable to find a romantic partner.
    Rafael Perez, Oc Register, 16 Aug. 2025
  • Travelers are advised to consider alternative itineraries, focusing on stable routes and refundable connections, and to maintain thorough records of expenses and communication with the airline.
    Zach Wichter, USA Today, 16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Evacuation Protocol: If evacuation becomes necessary, follow your checklist, wear protective clothing, and leave immediately.
    Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Aug. 2025
  • You’re told that suffering is normal and a necessary part of success.
    Vivian Song, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Each day, Lamb showed up with multiple catches and proved to be the reliable target he’s been through five seasons.
    Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Aug. 2025
  • That reliable iron lump brings the 5,000-pound car to 60 mph from a standstill in about 10 seconds, not so brisk a pace as to blow off a bad hairpiece.
    Robert Ross, Robb Report, 15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Partnerships, as always, will be a definite accelerant but a high degree of critical capability should probably be insourced given the winds of change currently sweeping across the landscape of geopolitics.
    Amir Husain, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
  • Nobody 2 is prime with older guys with solid total awareness and definite interest climbing.
    Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 12 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • So here’s what the data is saying: Corporations are confident—just look at buybacks.
    Frank Holmes, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025
  • Willy Adames is confident the Giants could’ve turned two.
    Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • And the best part: the final expenditure was much less than expected.
    Malana VanTyler, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2025
  • At the final, disastrous dinner of this episode, Larsa tries to remind everyone of this truth.
    Brian Moylan, Vulture, 22 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Certain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/certain. Accessed 24 Aug. 2025.

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