certain
Usage
What are other ways to say certain?
Certain, one of a handful of adjectives indicating full belief and trust that something is true, suggests that there are definite reasons that have freed one from doubt. Confident emphasizes the strength of the belief or the certainty of expectation felt. Positive implies emphatic certainty, which may even become overconfidence or dogmatism. Sure, the simplest and most general term, expresses mere absence of doubt.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
On another program, when Colombia’s most seasoned female television anchor asked him to explain how he could morally defend certain underworld figures, he shot back: “Not everything that is immoral or unethical is illegal.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 2, 2026
SpaceX plans to reserve 5% of its outstanding common stock for certain employees and others selected by its executive officers, the company said on Monday.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 1, 2026
"Meta obtained a temporary order preventing Ms Wynn-Williams from promoting her book or speaking about certain topics regardless of whether what she says is true," it said.
From BBC • Jun. 1, 2026
Those stocks took a battering at the start of this year due to worries that artificial intelligence will replace certain software functions.
From Barron's • Jun. 1, 2026
I felt certain that there would be more questions.
From "An Elephant in the Garden" by Michael Morpurgo
Vocabulary lists containing certain
The Real Deal: Synonyms for "True"
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List 1
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A Sure Thing: Synonyms for "Definite"
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