sure 1 of 2

adjective

ˈshu̇r How to pronounce sure (audio)
Definition of surenext
1
as in confident
having or showing a mind free from doubt are you absolutely sure that she said she was coming today?

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in necessary
impossible to avoid or evade the joke's a sure dud if you don't pause in the right places

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
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
4
as in true
worthy of one's trust a sister is a sure friend for life

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in conclusive
not capable of being challenged or proved wrong no sure evidence that life exists on other planets

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

sure

2 of 2

adverb

as in definitely
without any question we sure could use your help here

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
Volatile, quarrelsome, dogmatic, and sure of his own brilliance, Reinhold outraged patrons, amassed huge debts, and turned his eldest son into an exhausted workhorse. — Jenny Uglow, The New York Review of Books, 4 July 2026 One sure focus is the rampant grade inflation that exaggerates student achievement and has made graduating high school close to meaningless as an indicator of college preparedness. — U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 July 2026
Adverb
Before that can happen, though, the Panthers still need to get through the second day of the draft — one that they will for sure be involved in. — Ava Dicecca, Sun Sentinel, 27 June 2026 And sure, other towns in the area, such as Monterey, with its famous aquarium, or fairy tale-like Carmel-by-the-Sea, may be more well-known. — Cu Fleshman, Travel + Leisure, 24 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for sure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sure
  1. confident
  2. necessary
  3. reliable
  4. true
  5. conclusive
  6. definitely
  7. certain
  8. inevitable
Adjective
  • Exploring the recent opportunity Baird is confident Innio will be able to lead and set the highest price target at $50.
    — Assiatou Hann, CNBC, 3 July 2026
  • Speaking of golf, a confident politician or a confident reporter, for that matter, should walk like a golfer coming down the fairway on the 18th hole with a three-stroke lead in a major tournament.
    — Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 2 July 2026
Definition of confident
Adjective
  • Anything tragic that happened to minorities was inevitable and necessary.
    — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026
  • No contribution is necessary but encouraged once the account is open so savings can grow, the site said.
    — Medora Lee, USA Today, 3 July 2026
Definition of necessary
Adjective
  • Andrews, a lifelong resident of Red Hook Houses West, said the community has waited long enough for a reliable pool.
    — Hannah Kliger, CBS News, 2 July 2026
  • No reliable figures are available for battlefield casualties in the war.
    — Hanna Arhirova, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
Definition of reliable
Adjective
  • This underscores how Apple's control over its devices, from hardware to software, limits true ownership and poses challenges for long-term digital preservation.
    — Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 6 July 2026
  • If religion is corrupted by breaking down the wall of separation, much the same is true of the state.
    — Kenneth Seeskin, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
Definition of true
Adjective
  • Although rescuers had not detected conclusive signs of life, the operation continued under the watch of the child’s parents and grandmother.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 4 July 2026
  • The best shot at making a conclusive determination on who raped Sebold would come through DNA analysis of the physical evidence.
    — Joaquin Sapien, ProPublica, 30 June 2026
Definition of conclusive
Adverb
  • Cain pointed out that having the president of the United States greasing the wheels definitely helped speed things along.
    — Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
  • It’s also led by arguably (but definitely, in my opinion) the best player to ever play the sport, Lionel Messi.
    — Ben Church, CNN Money, 3 July 2026
Definition of definitely
Adjective
  • The technology has drawn public controversy since Detroit first signed a contract covering certain police precincts in 2020, and again in late 2022.
    — Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026
  • By then Tanacharison is telling Washington that he is mystically protected, in the mode of certain Indigenous warriors who were placed on earth to be leaders.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 1 July 2026
Definition of certain
Adjective
  • On the one hand, this does seem inevitable, both in terms of industry direction and the desire to cut costs however possible.
    — Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
  • When its inevitable end arrives, the sun’s core will exhaust the last traces of hydrogen fuel and kick off the first stellar death pangs.
    — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 1 July 2026
Definition of inevitable

Phrases Containing sure

Browse Nearby Words

surd
sure
sure-enough
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sure. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on sure

Nglish: Translation of sure for Spanish Speakers

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