as in certainties
one that is certain to succeed
he's a sure thing for the promotion: he's the most qualified candidate by far
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Recent Examples of sure things
In the Olympics, there are precious few sure things.
—
Rick Maese, Washington Post, 16 Feb. 2026
Friday’s results in the men’s singles figure skating at the Winter Olympics provided another reminder that even so-called sure things aren’t so sure.
—Mike Wilson, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2026
The Yankees, meanwhile, are short on sure things in their bullpen right now.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 15 Feb. 2026
Looking back through the records, Warr found that the majority of medalists hadn’t looked like sure things at age 12, even as every lever in the system was tuned to favor those who did.
—Rachel Barr, Big Think, 29 Jan. 2026
Each year, certain movies and awards contenders eventually emerge and sure things for Oscar nominations, others are probable, and another few are battling it out for the final spot on a list of five (or 10 in the case of Best Picture).
—Gerrad Hall, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Jan. 2026
And while draft picks can rarely be absolute sure things, Booker has been just that through 12 games.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Dec. 2025
But none represent sure things for the Yankees next season, and Peralta is as sure a thing as any team could acquire this winter.
—Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Oct. 2025
With Justin Verlander set to be a free agent, Ray is one of only three sure things in next year’s rotation, along with Logan Webb and Landen Roupp.
—Evan Webeck, Mercury News, 25 Sep. 2025
Rick Maese, Washington Post, 16 Feb. 2026
Friday’s results in the men’s singles figure skating at the Winter Olympics provided another reminder that even so-called sure things aren’t so sure.
—Mike Wilson, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2026
The Yankees, meanwhile, are short on sure things in their bullpen right now.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 15 Feb. 2026
Looking back through the records, Warr found that the majority of medalists hadn’t looked like sure things at age 12, even as every lever in the system was tuned to favor those who did.
—Rachel Barr, Big Think, 29 Jan. 2026
Each year, certain movies and awards contenders eventually emerge and sure things for Oscar nominations, others are probable, and another few are battling it out for the final spot on a list of five (or 10 in the case of Best Picture).
—Gerrad Hall, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Jan. 2026
And while draft picks can rarely be absolute sure things, Booker has been just that through 12 games.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Dec. 2025
But none represent sure things for the Yankees next season, and Peralta is as sure a thing as any team could acquire this winter.
—Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Oct. 2025
With Justin Verlander set to be a free agent, Ray is one of only three sure things in next year’s rotation, along with Logan Webb and Landen Roupp.
—Evan Webeck, Mercury News, 25 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sure things
Noun
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Ezra Ausar led the Trojans with 21 points, including crucial late slam dunks.—
Sean Campbell,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Feb. 2026
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The Timberwolves began to sling 3-pointers and slam dunks, but the Bulls took those punches on the chin, holding off the onslaught by forcing second-chance points and drawing fouls.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Dishant, my Indian hair stylist, expertly maneuvered his round brush through my heavy locks, coiffing them to perfection.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Feb. 2026
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Bushey’s hostile behavior following his sister’s arrival caused Laurie and her mother to take several safety measures out of fear, such as removing knives from the home, changing the locks, and finally pursuing a restraining order against Bushey and taking steps to evict him, Pirrello said.—
City News Service,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sure things.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sure%20things. Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.
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