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 Local officials worry they could even be charged for certain votes on city or county councils. The Npr Network, NPR, 1 July 2025 As the United States hurtles toward the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding on July 4, 1776, certain subjects seem to dominate the iconography of American independence. Karin Wulf, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 July 2025 Since becoming a household name in recent years, Brunson explained the difficulty of keeping certain parts of her life private. Liza Esquibias, People.com, 30 June 2025 Watch how the characters hit and hold certain key poses as the camera glides and zooms around them. Peter Debruge, Variety, 21 June 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
  • The power of climbing the same ladder, ring by ring Like many Gen Z grads, Godwin wasn’t sure where to take her career after obtaining her bachelor’s and master’s in English from the Universities of Oklahoma and Iowa, respectively.
    Preston Fore, Fortune, 29 June 2025
  • One thing is for sure, though: cleaning out your clothes can be a major endeavor, which can sometimes feel both emotional and overwhelming.
    Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 29 June 2025
Adjective
  • In 1978 Lukas dissolved his quarter-horse stable and immersed himself in thoroughbred racing at Santa Anita.
    Neil Milbert, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2025
  • One of the victims was in critical condition and the other was in stable condition, McCarty said.
    Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 29 June 2025
Adjective
  • Eduardo Cavaliere, Rio’s vice mayor, said in an interview that the rules were necessary to impose some order to a sometimes chaotic scene.
    Dado Galdieri, New York Times, 6 July 2025
  • Of course the private sector can price assets correctly of its own accord, and if riskless securities are necessary for this purpose, the private sector can produce them.
    Brian Domitrovic, Forbes.com, 6 July 2025
Adjective
  • As such, trees grown from seed provide a reliable and affordable (free) option for backyard growers.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 28 June 2025
  • People will see you as reliable and realistic yet open to imaginative ideas.
    Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 27 June 2025
Adjective
  • And given that toppers were developed specifically as a lighter, simpler alternative to full-bodied campers, designed to fit within limited midsize truck payloads, that extra beef is a definite problem for some shoppers.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 28 June 2025
  • The key was batting behind Ruth, a definite candidate for the greatest player.
    Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 June 2025
Adjective
  • From there, the team set about making Victor feel comfortable and confident as both a filmmaker and a performer.
    Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2025
  • Hollinger’s analysis: Zach Kleiman once again trades up to get his guy; this pick was made by Portland but is being sent to the Grizzlies, who weren’t confident Coward would get to them at 16.
    Sam Vecenie, New York Times, 26 June 2025
Adjective
  • As most readers already know, the Beatles’ final U.S. tour closed the door on touring altogether.
    John Tamny, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
  • On the eve of USAID’s final day, former Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama gathered with former staffers as well as U2 singer and humanitarian Bono on a video call.
    Chad de Guzman, Time, 1 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Certain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/certain. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.

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