incertitude

1 8.9

A feeling of not being sure or confident about something

noun
/ɪnˈsɜrtɪtud/

Formal

: incertidumbre

He voiced his incertitude regarding the project deadline, expressing concern about meeting expectations.

Examples

Her incertitude about the job interview made her nervous and unsure of herself.
Guevara's uncertainty as to how both father and mother fit into an authoritative role in this decisive developmental stage is echoed by his incertitude when he claims himself to be a reliable source.

Academic text (2001)
The incertitude.

Jabberwocky (1977)
Despite her talent, her incertitude often held her back from speaking in public.

Synonyms

doubt

vsincertitude

∞ 1.6

A feeling of not being sure about something

leans more toward lacking confidence rather than formal disbelief

question

vsincertitude

∞ 2.7

A feeling of doubt about whether something is true

is about feeling unsure and lacking confidence rather than analytical inquiry

uncertainty

vsincertitude

255 4.0

Not being sure about what will happen or what to do

is used for general lack of confidence rather than specific doubt

reservation

vsincertitude

96 4.8

A feeling of doubt that makes you hesitate to agree

refers to general lack of confidence rather than conditional disagreement

insecurity

vsincertitude

96 3.7

A feeling of not being sure about yourself or what you can do

is more general doubt rather than specifically personal anxiety or fear

qualm

vsincertitude

32 8.4

A feeling of doubt or unease about whether you are doing the right thing

is general lack of confidence, not only moral unease about actions

self-doubt

vsincertitude

25 4.6

Not feeling sure about what you can do or your decisions

applies more broadly beyond personal ability to general uncertainty

indecision

vsincertitude

20 3.4

Not able to make a choice quickly or with confidence

focuses on lack of confidence broadly, not only decision delay

little faith

vsincertitude

17 6.4

A feeling of not trusting people or plans much

is broader, covering general uncertainty beyond trust in others

incredulity

vsincertitude

7 8.1

A feeling of not believing something surprising

is milder, covering general uncertainty rather than outright disbelief

hesitancy

vsincertitude

7 4.2

A short pause before you act because you are not sure

often reflects general lack of confidence rather than only slow action

moments of doubt

vsincertitude

4 4.3

Short times when a person feels unsure about a choice or situation

describes ongoing lack of confidence rather than brief temporary uncertainty

indecisiveness

vsincertitude

3 5.1

Not being able to decide quickly or confidently

is the wider state of uncertainty beyond just indecisive behaviour

wavering

vsincertitude

3 5.5

A time when someone is unsure about a choice

is a steadier state of lacking confidence rather than brief uncertainty

hesitance

vsincertitude

2 5.3

A short pause before doing or saying something because you feel unsure

is the overall mental lack of confidence rather than mere reluctance

misgiving

vsincertitude

2 5.9

A feeling of doubt or worry about whether something will turn out well

covers general uncertainty rather than worry about specific outcomes

cloud of uncertainty

vsincertitude

1 6.7

A feeling of doubt and worry about what will happen

is used for general lack of confidence rather than only metaphorical mood

irresolution

vsincertitude

1 8.0

Not being able to decide or act

is closer to general uncertainty rather than only weak resolve

tentativeness

vsincertitude

1 7.0

A feeling of being unsure and slow to decide

points to broader lack of confidence rather than momentary hesitation

dubiousness

vsincertitude

1 7.8

A feeling of doubt or not trusting something

means general uncertainty without necessarily implying suspicion or distrust

unsureness

vsincertitude

1 3.8

A feeling of doubt or low confidence

includes both uncertainty and lack of confidence rather than only uncertainty

peradventure

vsincertitude

Archaic

1 9.9

A feeling of doubt about whether something is true

is the modern general term for lacking certainty and confidence

dubiety

vsincertitude

Formal

1 9.9

A feeling of doubt or uncertainty about something

is closer to simple uncertainty rather than suspicion or distrust

doubtfulness

vsincertitude

1 5.5

A feeling of not being sure about something

implies personal lack of confidence rather than firm resolution

irresoluteness

vsincertitude

1 8.9

Not being able to make firm decisions

emphasizes emotional lack of confidence more than mere indecision

questionableness

vsincertitude

1 7.9

The quality of being doubtful about whether something is true

is more about personal lack of confidence than object being challengeable

uncertainness

vsincertitude

6.0

A state of not knowing what will happen

is the simpler general term for lack of certainty and confidence

noncertainty

vsincertitude

8.8

A feeling of not being sure about something

overlaps closely but stresses lack of assurance over personal doubt

insecureness

vsincertitude

6.8

Feeling unsure and worried about safety or the future

focuses on lack of confidence rather than exposure to external risk

undersong of doubt

vsincertitude

Literature

9.9

A quiet feeling of not being sure about something

is the explicit state of lacking confidence, not a background tone

Antonyms

certainty

Literature

198 3.4

A strong feeling that something is true or will happen

How Certain

certainty

Literature

198 3.4

confidence

624 1.9

incertitude

Formal

1 8.9

doubt

∞ 1.6

Surface Forms

incertitude singular

incertitudes plural

Morphology

incertitude = certitude (semi-transparent) = in + cert + tude

The prefix 'in-' negates 'certitude', but 'incertitude' is less commonly used than 'uncertainty', which may confuse learners.

Etymology

The word incertitude comes from the Latin parts in- 'not' and certus 'certain'. So it literally means 'not certain', like the familiar word certain with in- making it the opposite, and that's why incertitude means a state of doubt or lack of confidence.