uncertain
adjective
un·cer·tain
ˌən-ˈsər-tᵊn 
1
3
: indefinite, indeterminate
the time of departure is uncertain
4
: not certain to occur : problematical
his success was uncertain
5
: not reliable : untrustworthy
an uncertain ally
uncertainly
adverb
Synonyms
Examples of uncertain in a Sentence
The time of departure is still uncertain.
We are still uncertain of the truth.
She remains uncertain about her plans.
I'm uncertain about how to respond.
The cause of the fire is uncertain.
He has an uncertain temper.
They face a financially uncertain future.
Recent Examples on the Web
Lee’s storied Bay Area political career took an uncertain turn after Lee ran unsuccessfully in 2024 for the U.S. Senate, finishing fourth in the March primary against fellow Democratic Congressman Adam Schiff, who won in the November election.
—
Hannah Wiley, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2025
Lives unfold and unravel as the uncertain human beings wonder whether the whales will ever return.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 8 Jan. 2025
This keeps his audience, and often his negotiation counterparts, uncertain and on edge.
—Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025
The Last Showgirl follows Anderson as Shelly, a veteran Las Vegas showgirl whose future grows uncertain when her show abruptly closes after 30 years.
—Tommy McArdle, People.com, 7 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for uncertain 
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Hannah Wiley, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2025
Lives unfold and unravel as the uncertain human beings wonder whether the whales will ever return.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 8 Jan. 2025
This keeps his audience, and often his negotiation counterparts, uncertain and on edge.
—Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025
The Last Showgirl follows Anderson as Shelly, a veteran Las Vegas showgirl whose future grows uncertain when her show abruptly closes after 30 years.
—Tommy McArdle, People.com, 7 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for uncertain
Dictionary Entries Near uncertain
Cite this Entry
“Uncertain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/uncertain. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
uncertain
adjective
un·cer·tain
ˌən-ˈsərt-ᵊn
ˈən-
1
: not definite or fixed
an uncertain quantity
2
a
: not sure
uncertain of the truth
b
: not known for sure
an uncertain claim
3
: likely to change : not dependable
uncertain weather
uncertainly
adverb
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