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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

Example 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
That is a sure fire way to get people to flee the dollar. CBS News, 18 Apr. 2025 The shelter wasn’t sure Iris had enough milk left from weaning her kittens a week before. Tj MacIas, Kansas City Star, 17 Apr. 2025
Adverb
Missouri had lost four of its last five entering the tournament, and the Tigers sure looked like a slumping team in the first half. Dave Skretta, Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2025 Emily Peck 2 hours ago - Economy Americans' job anxiety soars to highest level in 10 years The unemployment rate is pretty low at the moment, but under the hood Americans sure are nervous about the job market. Erin Brodwin, Axios, 19 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sure
Adjective
  • Investors are confident that such bold approaches will pay off, and the companies on the Technology list have collectively raised more than $300 million in recent years.
    Thomas Brewster, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
  • On the plus side, Luong is confident in keeping steady prices because Ampersand has other cost advantages.
    Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • These companies feel like necessary building blocks of modern existence.
    Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2025
  • But the success of any of NASA’s plans depends on having the money and resources necessary to carry them out.
    Wendy Whitman Cobb, The Conversation, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • When the Cubs have a lead, Counsell goes to a reliable late-game formula with relievers Julian Merryweather, Porter Hodge and Ryan Pressly.
    Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Previously, Ming-Chi Kuo, a reliable analyst at TFI Securities, has predicted Touch ID to make a return on the iPhone Fold.
    Prakhar Khanna, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Francis hailed as 'true advocate for peace' In 2019, Francis became the first pontiff to set foot on the peninsula where Islam was born.
    N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
  • But against the Cavaliers, against the length of Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley, Ware stands essential, on a Heat roster that lacks a true backup center.
    Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health concur that there is conclusive evidence that alcohol causes several types of cancer.
    Pranoti Mandrekar, The Conversation, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Anecdotes from such sources are, of course, far from conclusive.
    Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 8 Mar. 2025
Adverb
  • One thing the Heat definitely can’t do is lose in the margins.
    Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Watching that film with the context of this series definitely helps make Cassian's entire story feel complete.
    DeVonne Goode, Parents, 21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • However, TVLine may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
    Claire Franken, TVLine, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The report recommends a hard perimeter setup that would only allow emergency vehicles, deliveries and hotel drop-offs at certain times.
    Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • If such funding for these programs continues under some other venue, without a proper structure for management to ensure equitable distribution and implementation of funding and guidelines, malfeasance and non-compliance are inevitable.
    Patricia A. Daniel, Baltimore Sun, 13 Apr. 2025
  • Colorado’s 3-9 start has been ugly, but that doesn’t mean a third consecutive 100-loss season is inevitable.
    Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 13 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sure. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

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