don't know
Cannot say currently
Don't know functions as a noun for a response indicating uncertainty or lack of opinion, especially in polling and surveys.
When respondents neither agree nor disagree, their answers are tallied as don't knows: Twelve percent were don't knows.
The phrase captures genuine uncertainty rather than refusal to answer.
Lacking confidence or certainty
- doubtfulUncertain of truth
- hesitantSlow to act
- tentativeUncertain and provisional
- undecidedNot having chosen
questioning · unconvinced · skeptical · iffy · unconfirmed · unclear · ambiguous · vague
Utterly unable to understand
- perplexedThoroughly confused, uncertain
- bewilderedThoroughly puzzled and confused
- puzzledConfused by something unclear
- stumpedUnable to solve
flummoxed · nonplussed · befuddled · muddled · dumbfounded · confounded · discombobulated · mystified
Delay from uncertainty
- waveringShowing unsteady resolve
- vacillatingSwaying between choices
- tornPulled into pieces
- ambivalentHaving contradictory feelings
irresolute · on the fence · wishy-washy · equivocating · noncommittal · second-guessing · deliberating · waffling
Lacking knowledge of something
- uninformedLacking necessary knowledge
- cluelessLacking any understanding
- uneducatedLacking formal instruction
- inexperiencedLacking practical knowledge
unacquainted · unfamiliar · oblivious · unenlightened · uninitiated · unschooled · untutored · benighted
Lacking in pretension
- humbleUnassuming about oneself
- unpretentiousLacking false superiority
- unassumingNot making claims
- self-effacingDownplaying one's own importance
demure · deferential · open-minded · receptive · curious · teachable
Something hard to fathom
inscrutable · unfathomable · unexplained · unknowable · impenetrable · opaque · obscure · elusive
unsure
Lacking confidence or certainty
undecided · questioning · unconvinced · skeptical · iffy · unconfirmed · unclear · ambiguous · vague · speculative
baffled
Utterly unable to understand
- perplexedThoroughly confused, uncertain
- bewilderedThoroughly puzzled and confused
- puzzledConfused by something unclear
stumped · flummoxed · nonplussed · befuddled · muddled · dumbfounded · confounded · discombobulated · mystified · foggy
hesitation
Delay from uncertainty
- waveringShowing unsteady resolve
- vacillatingSwaying between choices
- tornPulled into pieces
ambivalent · irresolute · on the fence · wishy-washy · equivocating · noncommittal · second-guessing · deliberating · waffling · flip-flopping
unaware
Lacking knowledge of something
- uninformedLacking necessary knowledge
- cluelessLacking any understanding
- uneducatedLacking formal instruction
inexperienced · unacquainted · unfamiliar · oblivious · unenlightened · uninitiated · unschooled · untutored · benighted · in the dark
modest
Lacking in pretension
- humbleUnassuming about oneself
- unpretentiousLacking false superiority
- unassumingNot making claims
self-effacing · demure · deferential · open-minded · receptive · curious · teachable
enigma
Something hard to fathom
hidden · inscrutable · unfathomable · unexplained · unknowable · impenetrable · opaque · obscure · elusive · ineffable