sure-fire

ADJECTIVE

dependable

Synonyms

STRONGEST

foolproof

WEAK

certain excellent fail-safe good infallible reliable

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.

A celebrity’s ties to a property would create instant buzz—and served as a sure-fire tactic for luring in a line of prospective buyers.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 3, 2026

The rotation is also shaky, with fragile Tyler Glasnow and aging Clayton Kershaw and underwhelming Roki Sasaki and injured Blake Snell and, really, just one sure-fire starter is Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 1, 2025

The problem, of course, is that this isn't a sure-fire solution and, if it was going to happen, it needed to happen fast.

From Salon • Jul. 17, 2024

So an Elder Scrolls take on the genre seemed, on paper, like a sure-fire hit to many.

From BBC • Jun. 17, 2024

The theme was a sure-fire guarantee of audience interest and the rest was up to me.

From "Invisible Man" by Ralph Ellison