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.
A surge in oil prices has raised business costs and left manufacturers confronting more uncertainty.
From MarketWatch
Respondents to the survey said the war is adding to uncertainty and raising costs.
“The magnitude of uncertainty is unparalleled,” said its CEO.
“The new ‘magic number’ reflects a convergence of factors — from persistent inflation and longer life expectancies, to uncertainty about the future of Social Security,” said John Roberts, chief field officer at Northwestern Mutual.
From MarketWatch
U.K. exporters to the Middle East have already had to pause or cancel shipments to the region, losing sales and adding further uncertainty.
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.
