uncertainty
Americannoun
plural
uncertainties-
the state of being uncertain; doubt; hesitancy.
His uncertainty gave impetus to his inquiry.
- Synonyms:
- ambivalence, indecision, irresolution, hesitation
-
an instance of uncertainty, doubt, etc.
-
unpredictability; indeterminacy; indefiniteness.
noun
-
Also called: uncertainness. the state or condition of being uncertain
-
an uncertain matter, contingency, etc
Etymology
Origin of uncertainty
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English uncerteynte; equivalent to un- 1 + certainty
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
CEOs cited disruptions tied to AI and new technology as the biggest risk to their own industries in a new Conference Board survey — more than high tariffs, regulations or political uncertainty.
From MarketWatch
Policymakers may not reference Iran directly in their March statement, but they may acknowledge heightened geopolitical uncertainty and risks tied to energy prices.
From Barron's
That uncertainty mirrors the circumstances that once faced Khamenei, whose rise to the top job was hardly preordained.
From Los Angeles Times
“It’s a significant gamble so it injects significant uncertainty and volatility in the market,” Myrow says.
From Barron's
“It’s a significant gamble so it injects significant uncertainty and volatility in the market,” Myrow says.
From Barron's
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
