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.
Maillard said the French president had "acquired an international reputation" which could "to a certain extent, protect him from France's domestic difficulties".
From Barron's ● Oct. 16, 2026
This is a really hard one to call and the only thing I know for certain is that there will be a few goals.
From BBC ● Oct. 15, 2026
If something makes him feel a certain way, rather than getting in an argument with someone, which is tiring, he goes home, talks to himself “like a weirdo” and creates a bit out of it.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 15, 2026
We can be fairly certain that any cooperation between the museum and the film production came with the understanding that no actual security mechanisms would even be hinted at.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026
I’m almost certain there’s no air left in my body, so it’s impressive that I have yet to pass out.
From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold
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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