certainty

noun

ˈsər-tᵊn-tē How to pronounce certainty (audio)
Definition of certaintynext
1
as in assurance
a state of mind in which one is free from doubt I have full certainty that I'll pass the test

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in likelihood
the quality or state of being impossible to avoid or evade the proverbial certainty of death and taxes

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 certainty The theory behind a two-window system was to introduce greater contractual stability and certainty, with clubs previously free to trade up until March 31. —Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026 But new research has challenged centuries of certainty. —Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 3 Feb. 2026 The certainty that Iger wouldn’t be staying past 2026 put top Disney executives in a fishbowl — none more so than Walden. —Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 3 Feb. 2026 Mindset Lessons from Career Traders Long-term traders rarely sound like television pundits who speak in certainties. —Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 1 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for certainty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for certainty
  1. assurance
  2. likelihood
  3. confidence
  4. inevitability
  5. satisfaction
  6. probability
  7. conviction
Noun
  • Texans deserve absolute assurance that no taxpayer dollars are used—directly or indirectly—to support institutions tied to terrorist organizations, criminal networks, or foreign adversaries.
    — Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
  • Morrow received assurances from the American Legion that such discrimination would never happen again.
    — Bill Swank, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of assurance
Noun
  • The recent batch of labor market data (both public and private) indicated that there’s a high likelihood that job growth was tepid, that unemployment remained subdued and that health care remained a primary driver of overall hiring.
    — Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 11 Feb. 2026
  • Eldridge, in all likelihood, won’t be anything more than an emergency outfielder in the same way that teams have an emergency catcher.
    — Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of likelihood
Noun
  • Hardware enthusiasm While there are doubts about the software industry, Wall Street has resounding confidence that hardware companies are AI winners.
    — John Towfighi, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Uncertainty is the absence of confidence and, right now, a lack of confidence is overriding the reality that many of these companies are going to be just fine.
    — Josh Brown,Sean Russo, CNBC, 9 Feb. 2026
Definition of confidence
Noun
  • Marx’s account of class struggle and socio-economic inevitability is a philosophical leviathan.
    — Big Think, Big Think, 5 Feb. 2026
  • The presence of famous executives and creators made success feel less like a hypothesis and more like an inevitability.
    — Spencer Harrison, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2026
Definition of inevitability
Noun
  • Indulgence of such desires can lead to an escalation of the hunger, rather than contented satisfaction.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Bank of America on Thursday expressed satisfaction that the majority of the claims against it were dismissed.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of satisfaction
Noun
  • There’s also a 55% greater chance of obesity and a 40% higher probability of developing type 2 diabetes.
    — Sandee LaMotte, CNN Money, 11 Feb. 2026
  • The highest probability for fog looks to be along the Balcones Escarpment, with patchy fog also possible across the Coastal Plains and along the Interstate 35 corridor.
    — Newsroom Meteorologist, Austin American Statesman, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of probability
Noun
  • Many maintained contact with him even after his conviction in 2008 for soliciting a prostitute and procuring a child for prostitution in Florida.
    — Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026
  • During more than 21 years of incarceration on death row at Idaho’s maximum security prison south of Boise, Hall repeatedly appealed his convictions in state and federal court.
    — Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of conviction

Browse Nearby Words

certainly
certainty
certifiable
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Cite this Entry

“Certainty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/certainty. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on certainty

Nglish: Translation of certainty for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about certainty

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