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

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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 But schisms and heel digging are probably inevitable in such uncertain fields, Catling says. — Sarah Scoles, Scientific American, 15 Sep. 2026 For weeks, markets were highly uncertain about whether the Fed would raise rates or hold them steady this month, and odds fluctuated around 50% for each outcome. — John Towfighi, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2026 How much prison time Saab ultimately faces remains uncertain. — Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 15 Sep. 2026 His punchy, slightly cornball charm, combined with a winning smile that neatly masked his Nixonian ambition, cemented Mulroney’s status as a modern Canadian politician, someone willing to lead the nation through the 1980s into an uncertain future. — Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 14 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for uncertain

Recent Examples of Synonyms for uncertain

Adjective

Our supplies out of reserves are dwindling, so their flow rates are lower, and the Middle East is still as volatile and now just became significantly more dangerous.

— , CNBC, 16 Sep. 2026
In a volatile market, pricing must be responsive to changing conditions.

— Forbes.com, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of volatile

Adjective

Researchers are also still unsure which spacecraft burn up completely and how many fragments may reach the ground, putting lives and property at risk.

— Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 8 Sep. 2026
Police and lifeguards were unsure as to the most recent jumping fatality, with one official pointing to the 2019 death of 15-year-old Anthony Womack, a National City resident.

— Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of unsure

Adjective

Later, an opposition to unpredictable Uranus reminds us to balance bold leaps with steady signals, so plans, messages, and travel stay flexible, safe, and kind.

— Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 16 Sep. 2026
There were real concerns like unpredictable latency and audit trails that legal would never approve.

— Rafael Flores, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of unpredictable

Adjective

Be skeptical of guarantees that depend on platforms the firm does not control.

— Scott Keever, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026
Unlike Portugal, and to a lesser extent British Columbia, Oregon also failed to secure buy-in from law enforcement, leaving many officers opposed to the policy and skeptical of their role in implementing it.

— Karyn Sporer, The Conversation, 14 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

Kanarek also called 911, to report a suspicious vehicle and a possibly threatening conversation recorded by the device in her locker.

— Ian Parker, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2026
But Mark, in Ronson’s telling, quickly grows antagonistic, abruptly asking Ronson to sign an NDA, then later barraging him with suspicious texts and threatening him with a pair of goons.

— Jeremy Gordon, The Atlantic, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of suspicious

Adjective

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, who accompanied the national police chief in serving the warrant to Romualdez, said he was admitted to a Manila hospital Monday afternoon due to unstable blood pressure and anxiety attack.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 Sep. 2026
As Anna covers for Fyodor’s addiction and increasingly unstable professional behavior, her devotion starts to look poisonous for them both.

— Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of unstable

Adjective

The defense attorney argued that theory was inconsistent with the evidence, pointing to Apple Maps searches prosecutors highlighted during the trial.

— Lorraine Taylor , Bryan Llenas, FOXNews.com, 11 Sep. 2026
If every new scenario causes delays, requires manual recalculation or produces inconsistent results, AI cannot support continuous planning at enterprise scale.

— Stephen Macfarlane, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2026