SURE Synonyms: 230 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'sure' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of sure are certain , cocksure , and positive . While all these words mean "having no doubt or uncertainty," sure usually stresses the subjective or intuitive feeling of assurance. // felt sure that I had forgotten something

Q: When is 'certain' a more appropriate choice than 'sure'?

In some situations, the words certain and sure are roughly equivalent. However, certain may apply to a basing of a conclusion or conviction on definite grounds or indubitable evidence. // police are certain about the cause of the fire

Q: When would 'cocksure' be a good substitute for 'sure'?

The words cocksure and sure can be used in similar contexts, but cocksure implies presumptuous or careless positiveness. // you're always so cocksure about everything

Q: Where would 'positive' be a reasonable alternative to 'sure'?

The synonyms positive and sure are sometimes interchangeable, but positive intensifies sureness or certainty and may imply opinionated conviction or forceful expression of it. // I'm positive that's the person I saw

sure 1 of 2

adjective

ˈshu̇r

Definition of sure next

as in confident

having or showing a mind free from doubt are you absolutely sure that she said she was coming today?

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in necessary

impossible to avoid or evade the joke's a sure dud if you don't pause in the right places

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in reliable

not likely to fail a sure cure for the winter blues—a week in the Bahamas

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in true

worthy of one's trust a sister is a sure friend for life

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in conclusive

not capable of being challenged or proved wrong no sure evidence that life exists on other planets

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

sure

2 of 2

adverb

as in definitely

without any question we sure could use your help here

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective sure contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of sure are certain, cocksure, and positive. While all these words mean "having no doubt or uncertainty," sure usually stresses the subjective or intuitive feeling of assurance.

felt sure that I had forgotten something

When is certain a more appropriate choice than sure?

In some situations, the words certain and sure are roughly equivalent. However, certain may apply to a basing of a conclusion or conviction on definite grounds or indubitable evidence.

police are certain about the cause of the fire

When would cocksure be a good substitute for sure?

The words cocksure and sure can be used in similar contexts, but cocksure implies presumptuous or careless positiveness.

you're always so cocksure about everything

Where would positive be a reasonable alternative to sure?

The synonyms positive and sure are sometimes interchangeable, but positive intensifies sureness or certainty and may imply opinionated conviction or forceful expression of it.

I'm positive that's the person I saw

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 sure

Adjective

To suit, founder Sasha Plavsic has curated an array of sensitive-skin friendly, nourishing cosmetics sure to impress any beauty minimalist. —

Kiana Murden, Vogue, 4 Feb. 2025 Joseph Lynskey had never spent much time in a firehouse and was not sure what to expect. —

Katherine Rosman, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2025

Adverb

Pro baseball scouts sure liked it, because some 40 of them showed up Saturday morning to watch Corona vs. Oaks Christian. —

Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2025 And even though the Bills can run the ball when Allen doesn’t have the ball and the game in his hands, Jackson has Derrick Henry and Allen sure does not. —

Mike Lupica, New York Daily News, 18 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for sure

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sure

Adjective

Having won the penalty from which Chris Wood both completed his hat-trick and scored his 17th goal of the season, Morgan Gibbs-White was pretty confident the big New Zealander would score.

— Nick Miller, The Athletic, 3 Feb. 2025
With eight short film credits under his belt prior to this bracing feature debut, Vargas is an uncommonly confident filmmaker for someone just starting out, and with a specific vision to match.

— Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 1 Feb. 2025