Thesaurus

sure

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

adjective

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Synonyms & Antonyms of sure

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 having or showing a mind free from doubt

are you absolutely sure that she said she was coming today?

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2 impossible to avoid or evade

the joke's a sure dud if you don't pause in the right places

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preventable
(also preventible)

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3 not likely to fail

a sure cure for the winter blues—a week in the Bahamas

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fallible

4 worthy of one's trust

a sister is a sure friend for life

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5 not capable of being challenged or proved wrong

no sure evidence that life exists on other planets

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sure

adverb

Synonyms of sure (Entry 2 of 2)

without any question

we sure could use your help here

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Frequently Asked Questions About sure

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