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as in reliable
not likely to fail a sure cure for the winter blues—a week in the Bahamas

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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sure

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adverb

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective sure contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of sure are certain, cocksure, and positive. While all these words mean "having no doubt or uncertainty," sure usually stresses the subjective or intuitive feeling of assurance.

felt sure that I had forgotten something

When is certain a more appropriate choice than sure?

In some situations, the words certain and sure are roughly equivalent. However, 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 sure?

The words cocksure and sure can be used in similar contexts, but cocksure implies presumptuous or careless positiveness.

you're always so cocksure about everything

Where would positive be a reasonable alternative to sure?

The synonyms positive and sure are sometimes interchangeable, but positive intensifies sureness or certainty and may imply opinionated conviction or forceful expression of it.

I'm positive that's the person I saw

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 sure
Adjective
Researchers aren’t completely sure why, though disease, competition, and other factors might have played a role. Sara Novak, Discover Magazine, 28 June 2025 Trump’s latest decision is also sure to be challenged, said lawyers challenging Trump’s decision to roll back TPS for Haitians in a federal lawsuit in New York. Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 28 June 2025
Adverb
Designers in the high fashion world sure think so, too: Luxurious eyewear was all over the recent fall 2025 runways. Christian Allaire, Vogue, 27 May 2025 Of course, that’s a conversation for the fall (though the weather in Minneapolis and Detroit this week sure feels like playoff weather). Zack Meisel, New York Times, 22 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for sure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sure
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
  • Financial institutions can build trust by judiciously providing key information to help clients make confident decisions without unnecessary complexities.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
Adjective
  • And the Trump administration has framed its unilateralism as a necessary response to China’s actions.
    Oriana Skylar Mastro, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025
  • By thoughtfully considering how their cultures impact new graduate experiences, companies can create environments that not only attract top talent but also foster the innovation and adaptability necessary for future success.
    Brendan Keegan, Rolling Stone, 24 June 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
  • What’s the difference between something being emotionally true and factually true, and what should be valued more?
    Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 1 July 2025
  • In true underworld fashion, García tried to shield himself from the fallout.
    Gina Montaner, Miami Herald, 1 July 2025
Adjective
  • The series had a rather shocking ending, and in some ways, seemed pretty conclusive.
    Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
  • Those observations proved less conclusive than had been hoped, but during the rest of the voyage, Cook was able to map the coastland of New Zealand before sailing west to the southeastern coast of Australia—the first record of Europeans on the continent's Eastern coastline.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 24 June 2025
Adverb
  • The Mandalorian and Andor are done (Mando with its movie), The Acolyte was cancelled, The Book of Boba Fett is definitely dead.
    Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • Paris is definitely the strongest fashion week, with a very good balance between mega brands that delivered great shows and emerging talents or independent brands with high creative voices.
    Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 30 June 2025
Adjective
  • The findings revealed that certain personal factors influenced which recovery strategies people used.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • Students were required to undertake certain extracurricular activities (Prevost was in the choir with Franks—both sing tenor—and played tennis) and to keep up their academic performance, but mostly the school’s focus was how to live in community.
    Belinda Luscombe, Time, 1 July 2025
Adjective
  • Early adopters can provide critical feedback that shapes your product while demonstrating enough technical aptitude to work through inevitable early-stage bugs and limitations.
    Adi Bathla, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
  • For years, our young, living in shelters, couch surfing and living on the edge, always surrounded by violence, have been conditioned to believe that prison and early death were their inevitable future.
    Asha Bandele, Essence, 25 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sure. Accessed 7 Jul. 2025.

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