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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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 There is a great deal of uncertainty looming over this Election Day, but this much is 100 percent beyond doubt: Steve Kornacki, master of the MSNBC Big Board, is prepared for the moment. —

Jen Chaney, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2024 So far, the Nov. 3 report noted, the impact of that uncertainty on actual economic activity has not been substantial. —

Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, 6 Nov. 2024 The election ad pauses are designed to prevent candidates or their supporters from attempting to sway public sentiment or claim early victory during what could be a days-long period of uncertainty around the results as ballots are counted. —

Clare Duffy, CNN, 5 Nov. 2024 More were also unsure of what the outcome would be on November 5, at 14 percent, while 10 percent of expressed uncertainty. —

Jasmine Laws, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for uncertainty

Recent Examples of Synonyms for uncertainty

Noun

But there are some doubts about the accuracy of Ukraine’s reports.

Timothy Nerozzi, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 21 Nov. 2024
Republican senators also appeared Wednesday to be giving Trump’s nominee to lead the Defense Department, Pete Hegseth, some benefit of the doubt.

Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 21 Nov. 2024