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 To qualify for the EITC, taxpayers cannot have more than $12,200 in certain investment income in 2026. Lorie Konish, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2025 But adding certain nutrient-rich foods to your plate can make just as big a difference. Lauren Manaker Ms, Verywell Health, 10 Oct. 2025 Books in children's sections may be reshelved to adult aisles, or certain titles require parent permission or a staff member to retrieve them. Cate Charron, IndyStar, 10 Oct. 2025 On that note, the growth of artificial intelligence tools — the pros, the cons and the unknowns — are certain to be a theme of Mipcom. Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 10 Oct. 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
  • Saints, Panthers Arizona somehow turned an interception into a touchdown for their opponent and fumbled away another sure touchdown in a bad, bad loss on Sunday.
    Chad Graff, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
  • There’s also a 50% chance of rain on Monday and 60% chance of rain on Tuesday, sure to add to the water already backed up in the street.
    Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The technique could make optical clocks smaller, more stable, and usable outside high-end labs.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2025
  • This doesn’t just happen for balls rolling down hills, but for rain that pools into puddles, ponds, and lakes, for molecules that fold into a particular configuration, and even for electrons that cascade down into a stable or quasi-stable energy state.
    Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 8 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • If travel is absolutely necessary, drive with caution and be prepared for sudden changes in conditions.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 12 Oct. 2025
  • But the doctor said the follow-up scope was necessary to check for cancer.
    Ken Alltucker, USA Today, 12 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Lithium has been one of the most reliable treatments for bipolar disorder for decades.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2025
  • When renewable energy is paired with large batteries or other forms of grid management, it's proven to be reliable.
    Julia Simon, NPR, 8 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Sure, there's a definite shift of styles between the grim, cramped jail cell and a lavish Hollywood musical, but the latter seems almost subdued.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 8 Oct. 2025
  • There is, to United’s dismay, a definite trend of players breaking out of Old Trafford and finding a new lease of life.
    Phil Hay, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The Board is confident that the institutional improvements implemented over the past five years, along with those planned for the coming months – incorporating valuable recommendations from Omnia – will mitigate risks in the future.
    Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Chanel delivered a confident debut from Matthieu Blazy.
    Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • New Mexico’s final drive of the game, which produced a late TD, accounted for 75 yards and four of the first downs.
    Jim Keyser, Idaho Statesman, 12 Oct. 2025
  • One reason is that the fan base is demoralized after La Vinotinto was routed 6-3 by Colombia in the final qualifying date last month and failed to earn a World Cup playoff spot.
    Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 11 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Certain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/certain. Accessed 14 Oct. 2025.

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