uncertainty

noun

un·​cer·​tain·​ty ˌən-ˈsər-tᵊn-tē How to pronounce uncertainty (audio)
Synonyms of uncertaintynext
1
: the quality or state of being uncertain : doubt
2
: something that is uncertain

Synonyms

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Choose the Right Synonym for uncertainty

uncertainty, doubt, dubiety, skepticism, suspicion, mistrust 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

doubt suggests both uncertainty and inability to make a decision.

plagued by doubts as to what to do

dubiety stresses a wavering between conclusions.

felt some dubiety about its practicality

skepticism implies unwillingness to believe without conclusive evidence.

an economic forecast greeted with skepticism

suspicion stresses lack of faith in the truth, reality, fairness, or reliability of something or someone.

regarded the stranger with suspicion

mistrust implies a genuine doubt based upon suspicion.

had a great mistrust of doctors

Examples of uncertainty in a Sentence

There is some uncertainty about the company's future. He accepted the position without hesitation or uncertainty.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The company faces significant risks and uncertainties, including the need for additional capital and the outcome of its clinical trials, as detailed in the risk factors section of the report. —Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024 There’s a lot of uncertainty ahead for U.S. elections, said Kathy Boockvar, the former Democratic secretary of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. —Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 12 Nov. 2024 Transcript Earlier this week, Donald Trump defeated Kamala Harris in the U.S. presidential election, ushering in a new era of uncertainty at home and abroad. —Foreign Affairs, 8 Nov. 2024 What level of uncertainty is associated with your point prediction? —Steven Strogatz, Quanta Magazine, 7 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for uncertainty 

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of uncertainty was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing uncertainty

Dictionary Entries Near uncertainty

uncertain

uncertainty

uncertainty principle

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Uncertainty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/uncertainty. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

uncertainty

noun
un·​cer·​tain·​ty ˌən-ˈsərt-ᵊn-tē How to pronounce uncertainty (audio)
1
: lack of certainty
2
: something that is uncertain

More from Merriam-Webster on uncertainty

Nglish: Translation of uncertainty for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of uncertainty for Arabic Speakers

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