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uncertainty

uncertainty

296 4.0
Not being sure about what will happen or what to do
  • noun
  • /ʌnˈsɜrˌtən ti/
translation icon : incertidumbre
  • In times of uncertainty, we need to create certainty.
  • deal with uncertainty
  • great uncertainty
  • much uncertainty

He grew up with a lot of uncertainty and trauma and anxiety.

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Examples

  • We have lived in a state of uncertainty sustained for three years.

  • Shock, disappointment, loss, and uncertainty were the common reactions participants encountered when they first attended the university.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Have you considered what this policy of uncertainty is doing to our economy?

  • Considerable uncertainty in the business picture.

  • We have lived in a state of uncertainty, sustained for three years.

  • It's not about economic chaos or political uncertainty.

  • "Just be yourself," Andrew said reassuringly, in response to her uncertainty about moving to a large city.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • The tension of his task, the hours he was working... ...and the uncertainty about the outcome weighed heavily on him.

  • As a result, the feelings of confusion and uncertainty were gradually appeased.

    Academic text (2011)
  • In times of uncertainty, many people find it hard to make decisions.

Synonyms

doubt
vsuncertainty
1.6

A feeling of not being sure about something

covers that same feeling in a broader, general sense
insecurity
vsuncertainty
93 3.7

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

is the neutral idea of not knowing, without the added anxiety
reservation
vsuncertainty
73 4.8

A feeling of doubt that makes you hesitate to agree

is the wider condition of not knowing, not just a hesitating feeling
anyone's guess
vsuncertainty
  • Informal
9 7.0

Something very uncertain that you cannot predict

is the mental state of not knowing rather than a prediction comment
shadow of doubt
vsuncertainty
  • Informal
2 3.8

A small feeling that something might not be true

is the wider condition of not knowing rather than a small hint
moments of doubt
vsuncertainty
2 4.3

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

is the ongoing state that can include these short moments
indeterminacy
vsuncertainty
2 8.9

An unclear or uncertain situation that makes meaning hard to know

is about personal lack of sureness rather than structural vagueness
tentativeness
vsuncertainty
1 7.0

A feeling of being unsure and slow to decide

is the general mental state behind that hesitant behaviour
cloud of uncertainty
vsuncertainty
1 6.7

A feeling of doubt and worry about what will happen

refers to the basic mental state rather than an atmospheric image
dubiousness
vsuncertainty
1 7.8

A feeling of doubt or not trusting something

refers to mere lack of sure knowledge without the suspicion element
an ounce of doubt
vsuncertainty
  • Informal
1 4.9

A very small feeling of being unsure about something

is the full, general condition not limited to a tiny amount
scintilla of doubt
vsuncertainty
  • Formal
1 7.9

A very small feeling that something may not be true

is the broader state, not confined to a tiny trace
unsureness
vsuncertainty
3.8

A feeling of doubt or low confidence

is the general label for that same state of doubt or unpredictability
incertitude
vsuncertainty
  • Formal
8.9

A feeling of not being sure or confident about something

is the common, neutral name for that same condition
uncertainness
vsuncertainty
6.0

A state of not knowing what will happen

is the simple overarching word for that same situation
noncertainty
vsuncertainty
8.8

A feeling of not being sure about something

is the more usual, everyday reference to that lack
doubtfulness
vsuncertainty
5.5

A feeling of not being sure about something

focuses more broadly on the overall state of not knowing
dubiety
vsuncertainty
  • Formal
9.9

A feeling of doubt or uncertainty about something

is the everyday idea of being unsure rather than the formal term
questionableness
vsuncertainty
7.9

The quality of being doubtful about whether something is true

is the simpler sense of not being sure rather than challengeable quality
specter of doubt
vsuncertainty
  • US
7.7

A strong, worrying feeling that you are not sure you can trust someone or something

is the broader, neutral lack of sure knowledge without the haunting tone
undersong of doubt
vsuncertainty
  • Literature
9.9

A quiet feeling of not being sure about something

is the main, broad state rather than a faint background feeling

Antonyms

203 2.2

A belief that things will turn out well

certainty
  • Literature
202 3.4

A strong feeling that something is true or will happen

Compounds

uncertainty principle
  • Specialized
3 9.2

You cannot know both the position and speed of tiny particles exactly at the same time

A feeling of doubt and worry about what will happen

How Certain

certainty
  • Literature
202 3.4
confidence
419 1.9
uncertainty
296 4.0
doubt
1.6

Surface Forms

uncertainty singular
uncertainties plural

Morphology

uncertainty = uncertain (transparent) = un + certain + ity

Formed by adding the nominalizing suffix '-ity' to the adjective 'uncertain' (itself 'un-' + 'certain'), producing the expected noun meaning.

Etymology

Uncertainty comes from un- meaning 'not' and certain meaning 'sure', so it literally means 'not sure'. That's why uncertainty describes a feeling of doubt or not knowing what will happen.