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

Often, altercations involving a resident with dementia erupt after danger signals are missed or ineffectively addressed, according to a KFF Health News examination of court records, police reports, and state and federal inspection reports.

— Jordan Rau, NPR, 19 July 2026
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

Definition of ineffectively

Adverb

Over these images, two voices languidly recite what sounds like a roleplaying script, in which a desperate girl appeals to her grandpa for money.

— Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 11 July 2026
The Guadalupe is calm now, flowing languidly as families can be seen splashing in the cool waters.

— Johnny Dodd, PEOPLE, 1 July 2026

Definition of languidly

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

Unlike Mamdani, whom Platner has often been lazily compared to, and who wielded social media to novel and wildly fruitful ends, Platner is not as much of a digital native, and is a far less polished poster.

— Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 15 July 2026
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

Definition of lazily

Adverb

The show’s interests are theoretically in a nuclear family gradually coming back together, though even that theme is halfheartedly pursued.

— Alison Herman, Variety, 16 July 2026
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

Definition of halfheartedly

Adverb

The color was also gently smudged below her lower lashes, winging ever so faintly upward at the outer corner.

— Marci Robin, Allure, 20 July 2026
That said, this probably won’t be even faintly legible on a home entertainment system, let alone the handheld gadgets that kids like the ones seen here prefer to watch entertainment on these days.

— Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 17 July 2026

Definition of faintly

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

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“Uncertainly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/uncertainly. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of uncertainly

adverb

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