as in reliable
not likely to fail
pizza seems like a surefire choice for a food that everyone at the party will be happy with
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of surefire
At a time when the institutions of old — i.e., Second City and the Groundlings — have become less of surefire way into a lasting comedy career, building one’s own audience is everything.
—
Matt Grobar, Deadline, 29 Sep. 2025
As much as students and parents may wish for it, there is no surefire way of determining whether a student will succeed in the admissions process.
—Christopher Rim, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Job-hopping was once a surefire way of climbing the totem pole to higher salaries and bigger job titles.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 11 Sep. 2025
For those who are well-versed in Metal Gear’s history, an authentically reproduced iteration of Metal Gear Solid 3, chronologically the first game in the series despite being the fifth overall, will be a surefire hit.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for surefire
Matt Grobar, Deadline, 29 Sep. 2025
As much as students and parents may wish for it, there is no surefire way of determining whether a student will succeed in the admissions process.
—Christopher Rim, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Job-hopping was once a surefire way of climbing the totem pole to higher salaries and bigger job titles.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 11 Sep. 2025
For those who are well-versed in Metal Gear’s history, an authentically reproduced iteration of Metal Gear Solid 3, chronologically the first game in the series despite being the fifth overall, will be a surefire hit.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for surefire
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surefire
Adjective
-
Lithium has been one of the most reliable treatments for bipolar disorder for decades.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Oct. 2025
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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
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One requirement, for sure, is to learn how to effectively delegate.—
Neil Senturia,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Oct. 2025
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The Indiana people who have helped the Hoosiers secure their own roster can now say for sure that their program has leveled up several times over.—
Alex Kirshner,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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An artist having a deeply real moment — or three minutes’ worth of moments — in a show otherwise characterized by an hour and a half of abject professionalism and fail-safe show-biz prowess?—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
11 Oct. 2025
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It should also be remembered that even if such a time does come, Charles does have a fail-safe.—
Jack Royston,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Surefire.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surefire. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.
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