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 This test uses fluorescent dyes that only attach to certain parts of a chromosome. Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 14 July 2025 The office will also be able to review certain materials with protections. Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 14 July 2025 Opening certain shows along the route are Trace Mountains, Jawdropped, and Subtle Orange. Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 14 July 2025 A number of Republicans that represent states with rural communities -- such as Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Mike Rounds of South Dakota -- have expressed concerns about cuts to public broadcasting that could affect the ability of certain communities to access emergency alerts. Allison Pecorin, ABC News, 14 July 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
  • Not sure how to get around Austin for the MLS All-Star match?
    Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 24 July 2025
  • The two hooked up during a spring break trip to Cabo, Mexico — a moment that’s sure to stir up drama as season 3 unfolds.
    Emily Blackwood, People.com, 23 July 2025
Adjective
  • This stood in sharp contrast to the postwar American corporate experience, which operated within stable, predictable structures.
    Gabriel Snyder, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 July 2025
  • But for the majority, especially those without college degrees or stable career paths, life expectancy hasn’t improved.
    Teresa Ghilarducci, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
Adjective
  • The data needs to be accessible and running in sync across necessary components within the system, not operating in a silo.
    Lori Schafer, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
  • The Trump administration argued the deployment was necessary to deal with chaotic protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrests.
    July 15, CBS News, 15 July 2025
Adjective
  • One of his key issues remains securing clean, reliable water supplies for rural and tribal communities in need.
    Arlyssa D. Becenti, AZCentral.com, 23 July 2025
  • By the time Osbourne returned to Milwaukee for a March 5, 1984, concert at the Arena, his concerts had a reliable opening act: protesters outside the venue, criticizing Osbourne and rockers like him for performing the devil's music.
    Chris Foran, jsonline.com, 23 July 2025
Adjective
  • The city offers little in the way of culinary variety — a definite downside for food lovers seeking new and exciting options, according to the study.
    Brandi D. Addison, Austin American Statesman, 22 July 2025
  • This in itself makes a refreshing change from the usual baffling Marvel McGuffin, and even though the outcome is wholly predictable, there’s a definite frisson in the sight of The Herald’s liquid-metal hand trying to snatch Sue’s baby from the womb.
    Damon Wise, Deadline, 22 July 2025
Adjective
  • Experts are over 14 times more likely than light users to apply AI across all three phases and are twice as confident in the quality of their output.
    Ron Schmelzer, Forbes.com, 20 July 2025
  • Cline, who plays the confident queen bee Danica Richards, is currently single.
    Samantha Stutsman, People.com, 19 July 2025
Adjective
  • Making it to the final round, Shell Shock'd was up against Tacos Wuey Detroit and a newcomer that recently opened in southwest Detroit.
    Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 29 July 2025
  • Those who believe the King will make the final decision on Prince Harry, and those who think Prince William—who will one day be King—is ultimately calling the shots.
    Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 28 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Certain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/certain. Accessed 1 Aug. 2025.

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