certitude

noun

cer·​ti·​tude ˈsər-tə-ˌtüd 

 also  -ˌtyüd

plural certitudes

1

: the state of being or feeling certain

2

: certainty of act or event

3

: something that is certain : certainty

In the United States, death is feared … . Though it is a certitude that we all must deal with someday …

—Anne M. Johnson

Synonyms

• assurance
• assuredness
• certainty
• cocksureness
• confidence
• conviction
• doubtlessness
• face
• positiveness
• satisfaction
• sureness
• surety

Choose the Right Synonym for certitude

certainty, certitude, conviction mean a state of being free from doubt.

certainty and certitude are very close; certainty may stress the existence of objective proof

claims that cannot be confirmed with scientific certainty

, while certitude may emphasize a faith in something not needing or not capable of proof.

believes with certitude in an afterlife

conviction applies especially to belief strongly held by an individual.

holds firm convictions on every issue

Examples of certitude in a Sentence

believes with certitude that he is the best candidate for the job

Recent Examples on the Web

Targets include Hollywood, academia and ideological certitude. —Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 3 Dec. 2024

The point of the game is to take satisfaction in killing with moral certitude. —G Kirilloff, Forbes, 25 Nov. 2024

To me, Cardinal Lawrence gives a beautiful speech at the beginning of the film, talking about the evil of certitude and the moral preciousness of doubt. —Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 14 Nov. 2024

Historians will debate why Xi so mishandled the U.S.-Chinese relationship, likely finding some combination of ideology, certitude of a declining United States, and domestic exigencies that had nothing to do with foreign policy. —Ely Ratner, Foreign Affairs, 27 Nov. 2018

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Late Latin certitudo, from Latin certus

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

certitude

noun

cer·​ti·​tude ˈsərt-ə-ˌt(y)üd 

: certainty