Skip to main content
noncertainty

noncertainty

8.8
A feeling of not being sure about something
  • noun
  • /nɒnˈsɜːrtənti/
translation icon : incertidumbre
  • There is always some noncertainty when making predictions about the future.

Examples

  • Legal decisions often involve a degree of noncertainty due to complex evidence.

  • There is a growing noncertainty regarding the project's future.

  • The scientist acknowledged the noncertainty in her experimental results.

  • Her noncertainty about the decision was evident.

  • There is always some noncertainty when making predictions about the future.

  • The scientist acknowledged the noncertainty in her experimental results.

  • Legal decisions often involve a degree of noncertainty due to complex evidence.

Synonyms

doubt
vsnoncertainty
1.6

A feeling of not being sure about something

refers to a general state of lacking confidence or assurance
uncertainty
vsnoncertainty
296 4.0

Not being sure about what will happen or what to do

focuses more on personal lack of confidence than on unpredictability
reservation
vsnoncertainty
73 4.8

A feeling of doubt that makes you hesitate to agree

is a broader state of lacking certainty rather than a single hesitation
skepticism
vsnoncertainty
  • Formal
10 6.2

The view that people cannot be completely sure about anything

is a narrower private lack of confidence rather than a wide philosophical stance
peradventure
vsnoncertainty
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A feeling of doubt about whether something is true

is the modern expression for the same uncertainty without archaic tone
dubiousness
vsnoncertainty
1 7.8

A feeling of doubt or not trusting something

means lacking certainty without the extra sense of suspicion
unsureness
vsnoncertainty
3.8

A feeling of doubt or low confidence

emphasizes lack of assurance rather than a brief hesitation
incertitude
vsnoncertainty
  • Formal
8.9

A feeling of not being sure or confident about something

refers to the same lack of certainty and absence of assurance
dubiety
vsnoncertainty
  • Formal
9.9

A feeling of doubt or uncertainty about something

covers a broader lack of certainty and may not imply indecision
doubtfulness
vsnoncertainty
5.5

A feeling of not being sure about something

refers to lack of confidence overall rather than hesitation about one claim
uncertainness
vsnoncertainty
6.0

A state of not knowing what will happen

focuses on personal lack of assurance rather than random outcomes
questionability
vsnoncertainty
7.5

The fact that something may not be true or reliable

applies to general lack of certainty rather than being directly challengeable
questionableness
vsnoncertainty
7.9

The quality of being doubtful about whether something is true

covers private lack of confidence rather than public challengeability

Antonyms

certainty
  • Literature
202 3.4

A strong feeling that something is true or will happen

How Certain

certainty
  • Literature
202 3.4
assurance
16 3.5
noncertainty
8.8
doubt
1.6

Surface Forms

noncertainty singular

Morphology

noncertainty = certainty (transparent) = non + certain + ity

Formed by adding the negative prefix 'non-' to 'certainty', yielding a straightforward meaning 'not certain'.

Etymology

The word noncertainty comes from the part non- meaning 'not' and certainty meaning 'being sure', so it literally means 'not being sure'. It is like uncertain and is used for a lack of confidence or assurance.