1,400 new words in our dictionary! — Parasocial, glow-up, promposal & more
1,400 new words in our dictionary! — More

certainly

adverb

ˈsər-tᵊn-lē How to pronounce certainly (audio)
Definition of certainlynext
as in definitely
without any question certainly, you can come to the party

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 certainly With darker nights returning, a turbulent sun and a little help from the equinox, aurora season is certainly off to a promising start. — Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 23 Sep. 2026 That these sort of games, with their duplicity, hypocrisies and teary moments of tenderness, are popular is beyond question, and that is certainly how viewers are invited to watch. — Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026 That certainly seems possible, now that the Panthers have signed Ihmir Smith-Marsette. — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 23 Sep. 2026 More than most singers, and certainly more than most singers in his contemporary classical world, Josh Groban has found a way to integrate comedy into his career. — Paul Grein, Billboard, 23 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for certainly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for certainly
  1. definitely
  2. surely
  3. sure
  4. clearly
  5. probably
  6. really
Adverb
  • The cursing is definitely a big part of being that age, and especially misplaced cursing is funny — kids who don’t exactly know how to curse correctly.
    — Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 18 Sep. 2026
  • So the aim definitely wasn’t to go out there and be police bashing in in any way.
    — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of definitely
Adverb
  • More is surely going on, undetected or unreported, even as there has been a minor online symphony of whistle-blowing, alarm-bell tolling, and pleas for legislative action.
    — Jill Lepore, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026
  • The clothes, which always carried an element of tongue-in-cheek, paraded this sense of an triumphal ascent as surely as the Europeans had done with their get-ups in the late seventeenth century.
    — Lucy Sante, Vanity Fair, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of surely
Adverb
  • Enduring principles can be enhanced by the essential replenishment of ideas — notions that might seem to contradict but that also sure can live in harmony.
    — Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 19 Sep. 2026
  • David Stearns sure did hear it about Pete Alonso this week at Citi Field the way George Steinbrenner heard it after Reggie came back to the Stadium and hit a home run for the Angels.
    — Mike Lupica, New York Daily News, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of sure
Adverb
  • To their credit, several of them clearly took a great interest in learning basic Greenlandic words, facts, and folklore, and were eager to share.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Many could barely see the painting clearly with their own eyes, yet they were focused on capturing it.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of clearly
Adverb
  • One fight that probably won’t have as much intrigue, but still should be fun, is between Gable Steveson and Sean Sharaf.
    — OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Why pet owners are building dog grooming routines The biggest driver behind the boom in luxury pet accessories probably is not beauty at all.
    — Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of probably
Adverb
  • Unloading about the time-travel stuff is important, but what really lifts some of the burden from Julia’s shoulders is being able to talk about Claire with Davina.
    — Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2026
  • The second-year starting linebacker was an all-conference selection last season and has really turned it up a notch as a senior.
    — Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of really

Browse Nearby Words

certain
certainly
certainty
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Certainly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/certainly. Accessed 24 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of pundit

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
crayons-in-a-circle
Guess the Color Quiz Questions that use the whole box of crayons.
See All