1
as in volatile
likely to change frequently, suddenly, or unexpectedly
the stifling heat would occasionally be relieved by an uncertain breeze
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in unsure
not feeling sure about the truth, wisdom, or trustworthiness of someone or something
never uncertain of her political beliefs or judgment, she was a decisive and fearless leader
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of uncertain
There is only the slow, uncertain task of granting Iranians leverage over their own future and the moral imperative not to squander their courage in yet another Middle Eastern misadventure.
—
Ali Vaez, Time, 15 Jan. 2026
If these fundamentals remain uncertain, approving the project would shift legal, financial and planning risk onto the city rather than the developer.
—Chicago Tribune, 15 Jan. 2026
IndieWire’s Future of Filmmaking, a vertical focused on helping a new generation of filmmakers navigate an increasingly uncertain industry, launched in 2025.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 15 Jan. 2026
As with all prospects, his future is uncertain.
—Charlotte Varnes, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for uncertain
Ali Vaez, Time, 15 Jan. 2026
If these fundamentals remain uncertain, approving the project would shift legal, financial and planning risk onto the city rather than the developer.
—Chicago Tribune, 15 Jan. 2026
IndieWire’s Future of Filmmaking, a vertical focused on helping a new generation of filmmakers navigate an increasingly uncertain industry, launched in 2025.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 15 Jan. 2026
As with all prospects, his future is uncertain.
—Charlotte Varnes, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for uncertain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for uncertain
Adjective
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Key's Jerry is a disruption through and through, knocking everything just a little off-kilter with each volatile appearance.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Paul Weller is still a godlike figure, but the Jam themselves had a really distinct chemistry and sounded very volatile onstage and are among the great punk groups.—
Devon Ivie,
Vulture,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Ballard said his clients in the country at the time were unsure of what to do in the immediate aftermath of Maduro's capture.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
5 Jan. 2026
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Maduro’s supporters gathered throughout the city, many bearing arms, but seemed unsure of what to do next.—
Kate Linthicum,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The diversification stabilized operations while sustaining agricultural production amid increasingly unpredictable global markets.—
Maggie McGrath,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one of the main drivers of elevated and unpredictable egg prices has been the ongoing outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza.—
Marley Malenfant,
Austin American Statesman,
20 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Others are more skeptical about whether Greenland’s critical and rare earth minerals can significantly reduce the West’s dependence on China, which produced 70% of rare earths in 2024, according to Statista.—
Kai Nicol-Schwarz,
CNBC,
12 Jan. 2026
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Told of the contamination by the Free Press, Oquendo was skeptical that it was contaminated.—
Violet Ikonomova,
Freep.com,
12 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Rigorous, blustery winter; winding sleety spring; hot, moist enervating summer; changeful autumn with its dog-days; these are absolutely unknown.—
San Diego Union-Tribune,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
1 Jan. 2023
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Hers is the kind of face that inspires directors to tight framing — gleaming, as if smoothed from marble, and yet somehow pliant, changeful.—
Jordan Kisner Jack Davison,
New York Times,
11 Oct. 2022
Adjective
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The committee has called on state officials to testify in closed-door, transcribed interviews, while requesting suspicious activity reports from Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, along with a staff-level briefing from the Justice Department.—
Lauren Green,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Jan. 2026
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When the publication of his article is followed by the suspicious suicide of Dale Washberg, Lee follows a trail of breadcrumbs to find out the truth.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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This technique, sometimes called ski cutting, involves traversing across a slope to try and get unstable snow to slide down.—
Madison Dapcevich,
Outside,
13 Jan. 2026
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Antioxidants are compounds found in certain foods that help protect your cells from damage and disease caused by the build-up of unstable molecules called free radicals.—
Lauren Panoff,
Verywell Health,
13 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Trump administration officials have suggested that Powell either lied about changes to the building or altered plans in ways that are inconsistent with those approved by planning commissions.—
Christopher Rugaber,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Jan. 2026
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Drinkers sometimes complained that wines tasted weird and crazy, not just wild, and inconsistent from bottle to bottle.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
13 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Uncertain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/uncertain. Accessed 21 Jan. 2026.
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