UNCERTAINLY Synonyms: 56 Similar and Opposite Words

uncertainly

adverb

as in lamely

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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 uncertainly Elsewhere, investors have piled into safer bets this year as uncertainly and geopolitical tensions remained high. — Hugh Leask,tasmin Lockwood,holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 11 Dec. 2025 My mother paused uncertainly mid-step with her hands outstretched toward Elna’s suitcases. — Literary Hub, 8 Dec. 2025 Both matters seemed to have been settled with the deal ending the shutdown, but even so, the ongoing uncertainly may have affected the spending patterns of many affected. — Amitrajeet A. Batabyal, The Conversation, 13 Nov. 2025 Leading through uncertainly requires an extreme focus on the mission, adapting the tactics as needed. — Jill Schulman, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for uncertainly

Adverb

Belgium’s Hans Vanaken thumped it into the goal past defender Tim Ream, who flailed lamely as Belgium scored.

— Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 7 July 2026
That seems too much to ask of the curators, who lamely paired such items as an ensemble from the fashion house Alaïa from last year with an Asante-Akan akua ’ba child figure.

— Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 4 May 2026

Definition of lamely

Adverb

Williams was awarded the win because Brazobán pitched briefly and ineffectively and surrendered the lead while throwing less than an inning.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 Apr. 2026
Not Hiring Or Managing Staff Effectively One of the reasons why having operating capital up front is so critical is that not hiring enough staff members or managing them ineffectively can be the biggest nail in a franchise's downfall.

— Seth Lederman, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025

Definition of ineffectively

Adverb

Every once in a while a crow calls, but there’s not much structure to it, with the sounds listlessly bouncing off the walls imposed by the five-minute runtimes instead of cohering into a rhythm.

— Andrew Ryce, Pitchfork, 6 July 2026
There’s no way to stop parents from allowing their children to stare listlessly at a screen, but state lawmakers, school board members, administrators and teachers can impact what goes on during the school day.

— Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 24 June 2026

Definition of listlessly

Adverb

This 469-mile parkway lazily meanders through the Appalachian Highlands in Virginia and the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina.

— Josh Laskin, Travel + Leisure, 3 July 2026
During warmups, while the French players lazily passed the ball between one another or popped it off the ground to gently juggle with their feet, the Norwegians, their red shirts bright against the grass, formed a tight circle and did vigorous plyometrics.

— Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 27 June 2026

Definition of lazily

Adverb

At least four officers stood by during the assaults, while two others halfheartedly attempted to break them up.

— Jason Henry, Daily News, 9 Apr. 2026
The rise of disco in the mid-1970s prompted too many soul-music greats to halfheartedly jump on the bandwagon.

— George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026

Definition of halfheartedly

Adverb

Their approaches from the weekend flash in front of them, each one shakily filmed from a distance by Artisan.

— Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 27 June 2026
The archival, iconic footage of Jordan scoring 38 points while dealing with illness in Game 5 of the 1997 NBA Finals was intended to inspire willpower in a Bruins team that had run shakily out of the starting gate in its last two tournament games.

— Haley Sawyer, Oc Register, 4 Apr. 2026

Definition of shakily

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“Uncertainly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/uncertainly. Accessed 17 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of uncertainly

adverb

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