UNCERTAIN Synonyms: 104 Similar and Opposite Words

uncertain

adjective

ˌən-ˈsər-tᵊn

Definition of uncertain

as in volatile

likely to change frequently, suddenly, or unexpectedly the stifling heat would occasionally be relieved by an uncertain breeze

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 uncertain The Bank of Canada warned this month that new tariffs had made the country’s growth prospects more uncertain and increased upside risks to inflation. — Jenni Reid, CNBC, 29 Sep. 2026 Whether these developments amount to a new regional security architecture remains uncertain. — John Calabrese, The Conversation, 29 Sep. 2026 Set against the backdrops of New York and Los Angeles from the late 2000s through the 2020s, the novel navigates the uncertain metamorphosis of contemporary adulthood. — Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026 The exact placement of the heaviest rainfall remains uncertain. — Michael Autovino, CBS News, 28 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for uncertain

Recent Examples of Synonyms for uncertain

Adjective

For some investors, the volatile situation is leading to a more intent focus on core balance sheet metrics led by free cash flow, which measures the cash left over after expenses, interest, taxes and long-term investments.

— Cheryl Winokur Munk, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2026
Goods would become more expensive and supply chains more volatile and prone to disruption.

— Michael Albertus, Foreign Affairs, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of volatile

Adjective

Replaying that in the oceans would be dangerous and unpredictable.

— Michael Albertus, Foreign Affairs, 30 Sep. 2026
As the Satanic Slasher gruesomely hacks his way across the country with the cop in pursuit, his backstory and intentions are parceled out to the viewer piece by piece, until the movie arrives at a completely unpredictable conclusion.

— Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of unpredictable

Adjective

The pledge from Walmart comes as concerns are mounting from some shoppers, consumer advocates and lawmakers skeptical about the rollout of digital price labels by the discounter and other stores.

— Anne D’Innocenzio, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2026
Gary Marcus, a cognitive scientist known for his research on the intersection of psychology and AI, is also skeptical that AI agents could paralyze the internet.

— Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of skeptical

Adjective

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
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

Definition of changeful

Adjective

Directed by Li Taige, the film stars Yu Qian as a retiring veteran police officer who discovers suspicious anomalies during an apparently routine theft investigation.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 28 Sep. 2026
Five men were arrested near RAF Fairford in southwest England on September 27 after police received a report about three suspicious vans heading toward the air base.

— Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of suspicious

Adjective

Unlike a recruiting leader, an engineer sees a production system with no architecture, an unreliable supply chain, an unstable line and no-exception handling.

— Pradeep Prasana Kanagaraj, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026
Neutrons are unstable when they’re not bound in nuclei, spontaneously spitting out lighter particles in about 15 minutes to become the slightly lighter proton.

— Cara Giovanetti, The Conversation, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of unstable

Adjective

Roberts went 36-49 while injuries, roster turnover and inconsistent play undermined the franchise’s rebuilding effort around young talents Cameron Brink and Rickea Jackson.

— Marisa Ingemi, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
Some manufacturers run their own data groups; others work through third-party aggregators, creating inconsistent landscapes for integrated solutions.

— Stacey Moser, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of inconsistent

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“Uncertain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/uncertain. Accessed 2 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of uncertain

adjective

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