1
as in volatile
likely to change frequently, suddenly, or unexpectedly
the stifling heat would occasionally be relieved by an uncertain breeze
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in unsure
not feeling sure about the truth, wisdom, or trustworthiness of someone or something
never uncertain of her political beliefs or judgment, she was a decisive and fearless leader
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of uncertain
Moscow hopes to maintain some of its naval and air bases, but the fate of its negotiations with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham is uncertain.
—
Erika Solomon, New York Times, 18 Jan. 2025
Success is uncertain, but entertainment is guaranteed!
—Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 Jan. 2025
More uncertain is just how far right Hollywood will bend in pursuit of ratings and box office.
—Josef Adalian, Vulture, 17 Jan. 2025
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
See all Example Sentences for uncertain 
Erika Solomon, New York Times, 18 Jan. 2025
Success is uncertain, but entertainment is guaranteed!
—Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 Jan. 2025
More uncertain is just how far right Hollywood will bend in pursuit of ratings and box office.
—Josef Adalian, Vulture, 17 Jan. 2025
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
See all Example Sentences for uncertain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for uncertain
Adjective
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But, looking at a slightly longer period, the increase in MMM stock over the last four-year period has been far from consistent, with annual returns being more volatile than the S&P 500.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes,
23 Jan. 2025
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Trump has pledged to hand management of his assets to his children, but ethics experts have criticized his crypto ventures as raising conflict of interest issues and stoking speculation in a volatile asset class.—
Tom Westbrook,
USA TODAY,
22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Companies are eager to leverage the technology to gain a competitive advantage, but many are unsure how to handle its complexities.—
Arjun Pillai,
Forbes,
24 Jan. 2025
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Long COVID remains mysterious with health care providers unsure which symptoms can be directly attributed to a COVID-19 infection and how those symptoms may persist.—
Irene Wright,
Miami Herald,
23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Laws and norms govern their actions to a degree but the human element is unpredictable.—
Richard Bishop,
Forbes,
16 Jan. 2025
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On top of this, issues related to money and possessions are unpredictable.—
Georgia Nicols,
The Denver Post,
15 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Be skeptical of anyone who promises immediate cleanup or immediate repairs.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes,
19 Jan. 2025
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Trump’s diverging views on foreign policy President-elect Donald Trump has been skeptical of U.S. alliances, including NATO and defense partnerships in the Asia-Pacific, all of which the Biden team has worked to shore up over the past four years.—
Matthew Lee,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Hers is the kind of face that inspires directors to tight framing — gleaming, as if smoothed from marble, and yet somehow pliant, changeful.—
Jordan Kisner Jack Davison,
New York Times,
11 Oct. 2022
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Rigorous, blustery winter; winding sleety spring; hot, moist enervating summer; changeful autumn with its dog-days; these are absolutely unknown.—
San Diego Union-Tribune,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
1 Jan. 2023
Adjective
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The guard told 911 dispatch that a suspicious vehicle — a dark SUV — had driven through his yard.—
Emma Steele,
CBS News,
26 Jan. 2025
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Editors’ Picks The four Israeli hostages released by Hamas on Saturday, who were dressed in military-style clothes, had been working as lookouts for Israel’s army, reporting on suspicious activity across the border, when they were captured.—
Patrick Kingsley,
New York Times,
25 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Park rangers at Death Valley National Park in California rescued a man who got stranded in a steep and unstable gully, the National Park Service said Sunday.—
Kierra Frazier,
CBS News,
20 Jan. 2025
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But then he got trapped when the canyon became steep and unstable, park officials said.—
Helena Wegner,
Sacramento Bee,
20 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Normally, going back in time introduces all sorts of nasty paradoxes, like the infamous grandfather paradox, or, less violently, inconsistent histories.—
Paul Sutter,
Space.com,
25 Jan. 2025
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The police asked him about what appeared to be cuts on his right hand, and Mr. Cady gave inconsistent explanations, the authorities said.—
Simon J. Levien,
New York Times,
25 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near uncertain
Cite this Entry
“Uncertain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/uncertain. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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