Synonym Chooser

How does the noun certainty differ from other similar words?

The words certitude and conviction are common synonyms of certainty. While all three words mean "a state of being free from doubt," certainty and certitude are very close; certainty may stress the existence of objective proof.

claims that cannot be confirmed with scientific certainty

When might certitude be a better fit than certainty?

The synonyms certitude and certainty are sometimes interchangeable, but certitude may emphasize a faith in something not needing or not capable of proof.

believes with certitude in an afterlife

When is conviction a more appropriate choice than certainty?

In some situations, the words conviction and certainty are roughly equivalent. However, conviction applies especially to belief strongly held by an individual.

holds firm convictions on every issue

Examples 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 certainty Third, the decision highlights he way in which Loper Bright promotes beneficial legal certainty and the rule of law. Alden Abbott, Forbes, 3 Jan. 2025 Turner is a better on-court fit around Tyrese Haliburton than Poeltl, and giving up picks for the extra bit of certainty is unlikely. Eric Koreen, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025 But the Giants just tied for the NFL’s worst record at 3-14, are 9-25 overall in the last two seasons and have less certainty than ever at quarterback. Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 6 Jan. 2025 Their confidence in the national vote count declined from about 7 in 10 to about 6 in 10, although their certainty in the accuracy of state vote counts remained stable. Linley Sanders and Nicholas Riccardi, Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for certainty 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for certainty
Noun
  • Branthwaite initially struggled in the Netherlands and Everton came close to recalling him before receiving assurances opportunities would come.
    The Athletic UK Staff, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025
  • Spencer’s estate and Brown are asking the court to deny the mall’s sale or delay the sale until there are assurances creditors will be able to recover their claims.
    Catherine Muccigrosso, Charlotte Observer, 22 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • President Trump's approach to the office has been unconventional to say the least so the likelihood of a positive approval for too too long is pretty low.
    Justin Gest, Newsweek, 20 Jan. 2025
  • For perspective, the industry average likelihood for a car to hit 250,000 miles is 8.6 percent, so the Highlander Hybrid is about three times as likely to see a quarter-million miles compared to the typical vehicle.
    Karl Brauer, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • The only way is to give some confidence to the players is to win games.
    Sam Pilger, Forbes, 19 Jan. 2025
  • Los Angeles’ young defense has a ton of confidence after a dominating, record-tying performance against the Vikings.
    Mark Ross, The Athletic, 19 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • The Mets’ three-year offer in the $70 million range to Alonso has been out there for a couple of weeks now and nobody has stepped up to top it — or at least certainly not significantly enough to Alonso’s satisfaction.
    Bill Madden, New York Daily News, 25 Jan. 2025
  • Rather than excitement or satisfaction, Ms. Cobel regards the offer with suspicion.
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 24 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • For a coin toss with probability of success p, the skewness and kurtosis both go to infinity when the probability of success is very low.
    Vineer Bhansali, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
  • All projections and probabilities are rounded to the nearest whole number.
    Dom Luszczyszyn, The Athletic, 22 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Yet, the family has also faced significant challenges, including Patrick's brother, Jackson Mahomes, being sentenced to probation after a misdemeanor battery charge, and his father, Patrick Mahomes Sr., receiving a jail sentence and probation for a DUI conviction.
    Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 25 Jan. 2025
  • Within hours, the Justice Department – which under the Biden administration had secured Rhodes' 2022 conviction – argued that Judge Amit Mehta didn't have the authority to issue that restriction.
    Aysha Bagchi, USA TODAY, 24 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near certainty

Cite this Entry

“Certainty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/certainty. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on certainty

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