UNCERTAINTY Synonyms: 37 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'uncertainty' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of uncertainty are doubt , dubiety , mistrust , skepticism , and suspicion . While all these words mean "lack of sureness about someone or something," uncertainty may range from a falling short of certainty to an almost complete lack of conviction or knowledge especially about an outcome or result. // assumed the role of manager without hesitation or uncertainty

Q: When could 'doubt' be used to replace 'uncertainty'?

The words doubt and uncertainty are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, doubt suggests both uncertainty and inability to make a decision. // plagued by doubts as to what to do

Q: Where would 'dubiety' be a reasonable alternative to 'uncertainty'?

Although the words dubiety and uncertainty have much in common, dubiety stresses a wavering between conclusions. // felt some dubiety about its practicality

Q: When might 'mistrust' be a better fit than 'uncertainty'?

While in some cases nearly identical to uncertainty , mistrust implies a genuine doubt based upon suspicion. // had a great mistrust of doctors

Q: When would 'skepticism' be a good substitute for 'uncertainty'?

While the synonyms skepticism and uncertainty are close in meaning, skepticism implies unwillingness to believe without conclusive evidence. // an economic forecast greeted with skepticism

Q: In what contexts can 'suspicion' take the place of 'uncertainty'?

The synonyms suspicion and uncertainty are sometimes interchangeable, but suspicion stresses lack of faith in the truth, reality, fairness, or reliability of something or someone. // regarded the stranger with suspicion

uncertainty

noun

ˌən-ˈsər-tᵊn-tē

Definition of uncertainty next

as in doubt

a feeling or attitude that one does not know the truth, truthfulness, or trustworthiness of someone or something uncertainty about her job prospects has her worried

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How does the noun uncertainty differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of uncertainty are doubt, dubiety, mistrust, skepticism, and suspicion. While all these words mean "lack of sureness about someone or something," uncertainty may range from a falling short of certainty to an almost complete lack of conviction or knowledge especially about an outcome or result.

assumed the role of manager without hesitation or uncertainty

When could doubt be used to replace uncertainty?

The words doubt and uncertainty are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, doubt suggests both uncertainty and inability to make a decision.

plagued by doubts as to what to do

Where would dubiety be a reasonable alternative to uncertainty?

Although the words dubiety and uncertainty have much in common, dubiety stresses a wavering between conclusions.

felt some dubiety about its practicality

When might mistrust be a better fit than uncertainty?

While in some cases nearly identical to uncertainty, mistrust implies a genuine doubt based upon suspicion.

had a great mistrust of doctors

When would skepticism be a good substitute for uncertainty?

While the synonyms skepticism and uncertainty are close in meaning, skepticism implies unwillingness to believe without conclusive evidence.

an economic forecast greeted with skepticism

In what contexts can suspicion take the place of uncertainty?

The synonyms suspicion and uncertainty are sometimes interchangeable, but suspicion stresses lack of faith in the truth, reality, fairness, or reliability of something or someone.

regarded the stranger with suspicion

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 uncertainty Widespread global uncertainty in the form of the COVID-19 pandemic, ongoing wars, social uprisings, and rising inflation have led individuals to feel less of a sense of personal control. —

Anyi Ma, Jessica J.w. Paek, Harvard Business Review, 20 Dec. 2024 In this work, physicists have tried everything from bending the fabric of spacetime to exploiting quantum uncertainty to travel back and forth in time. —

The Physics Arxiv Blog, Discover Magazine, 20 Dec. 2024 Inflation progress has nearly halted as other uncertainties about the economy, including the possible effects of the next administration's policies, pile up. —

Courtenay Brown, Axios, 20 Dec. 2024 Analysts say there is high uncertainty over the extent of the tariffs Trump will be willing — or able — to follow through with, and how much of his rhetoric is a starting point for striking deals. —

Jenni Reid,silvia Amaro, CNBC, 20 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for uncertainty

Recent Examples of Synonyms for uncertainty

Noun

The path forward was cast into doubt by Trump's statement, with speculation growing that Johnson would scrap the original version of the bill and bring up a narrower funding extension that includes disaster relief.

Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 19 Dec. 2024
On Tuesday, Reuters reported that eight Republican senators had expressed doubts about Trump's nomination of Gabbard to lead the nation's intelligence community.

Dan Perry, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024