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as in reliable
not likely to fail a sure cure for the winter blues—a week in the Bahamas

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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sure

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adverb

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective sure contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of sure are certain, cocksure, and positive. While all these words mean "having no doubt or uncertainty," sure usually stresses the subjective or intuitive feeling of assurance.

felt sure that I had forgotten something

When is certain a more appropriate choice than sure?

In some situations, the words certain and sure are roughly equivalent. However, certain may apply to a basing of a conclusion or conviction on definite grounds or indubitable evidence.

police are certain about the cause of the fire

When would cocksure be a good substitute for sure?

The words cocksure and sure can be used in similar contexts, but cocksure implies presumptuous or careless positiveness.

you're always so cocksure about everything

Where would positive be a reasonable alternative to sure?

The synonyms positive and sure are sometimes interchangeable, but positive intensifies sureness or certainty and may imply opinionated conviction or forceful expression of it.

I'm positive that's the person I saw

Examples Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of sure
Adjective
Who is your favorite pro golfer? Tiger Woods, for sure. Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 23 Jan. 2025 Still, co-CEO Ted Sarandos said Netflix isn’t sure acquiring a full season’s worth of games from any of the major U.S. sports will be a profitable venture for the company. Alex Sherman, CNBC, 23 Jan. 2025
Adverb
Stephen Schwartz’s songs sure do soar in this film, and golly, a 100-piece orchestra is beyond joyous. Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 1 Jan. 2025 And sure, Saban would have freaked out about his team staying at a Ramada at Penn State. Joe Rexrode, The Athletic, 30 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for sure 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sure
Adjective
  • The surgeons, however, were confident about the procedure for the four-time PGA Tour winner.
    Bryce Miller, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Jan. 2025
  • The survey showed 73% of chief executives surveyed were confident in their company growth prospects, compared to 70% in September and to 64% in January last year.
    Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 21 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Timing one’s necessary exit from power is, of course, one of life’s most vexing conundrums and Biden hardly is alone in blowing the moment.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 19 Jan. 2025
  • That relentless focus is necessary, especially for a team that has struggled defensively — an area long associated with Thibodeau’s coaching identity.
    Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 19 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • As a meta-analysis, the researchers noted that their report provides more reliable answers than a smaller, singular study.
    Lauryn Higgins, Health, 23 Jan. 2025
  • An uptick in office lease signings has led some to hope the office rental market has hit bottom, but others, like landlord and developer Garrett Lee, believe there’s a more reliable path forward than trying to convince tenants to return: converting offices into apartments.
    Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • But the flip side is also true: Nothing would be more harmful than letting the Small Business Deduction disappear at the end of the year.
    John E. Kelly Jr., Baltimore Sun, 15 Jan. 2025
  • By staying true to her own experiences, her music naturally encourages others to embrace courage, authenticity, and a childlike sense of wonder—an organic process that defines the heart of her artistic contribution.
    Hilary Tetenbaum, USA TODAY, 15 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • This absence of alarm is not conclusive proof that democracy is safe forever, nor that Trump cannot damage American democracy at all.
    Victor Menaldo, The Conversation, 16 Jan. 2025
  • While no conclusive evidence connects the dye to cancer in humans, its potential risks have led to bans or severe restrictions in several countries, including the European Union, Australia and Japan.
    Michael Gfoeller And David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025
Adverb
  • At this point, that secret is definitely more secure than the secret of At Attin.
    Dalton Ross, EW.com, 15 Jan. 2025
  • Takeaway number 2, then, is that Valve is definitely committed to getting SteamOS supported on Nvidia hardware —work that will likely benefit the entire Linux gaming system and the open-source community.
    Jason Evangelho, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Trump’s incoming Justice Department leaders are all but certain to drop the case once Trump has been sworn in.
    Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill, 16 Jan. 2025
  • Commenters debated whether certain dog breeds were more prone to loafing and stretching in this way.
    Michael Gfoeller And David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Comparisons to industry leaders like Rao’s, Siete, and Carbone are inevitable, but Lee’s path is uniquely her own.
    Claudia Alarcón, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025
  • The Edmonton Oilers captain received a match penalty, which means a suspension is all but inevitable.
    Daniel Nugent-Bowman, The Athletic, 19 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near sure

Cite this Entry

“Sure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sure. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

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