uncertain
Lacking firm knowledge
Uncertain means not known for sure or not definitely established: The outcome remains uncertain.
It can describe people who lack confidence or conviction: She was uncertain about her decision.
Something uncertain is unpredictable or unreliable: uncertain weather, an uncertain future.
The word suggests doubt without implying impossibility—things may become clear later.
Uncertain of truth
- skepticalInclined to question claims
- unsureLacking confidence or certainty
- dubiousOf uncertain reliability
- questioningSeeking answers through inquiry
incredulous · disbelieving · distrustful · wary · leery · suspicious · unconvinced · mistrustful
Unclear, ill-defined
- ambiguousHaving multiple interpretations
- unclearNot easily understood
- nebulousUnclear and formless
- murkyDark and unclear
obscure · indefinite · indistinct · enigmatic · cryptic · opaque · clouded · fuzzy
Not having chosen
- indecisiveUnable to make choices
- hesitantSlow to act
- waveringShowing unsteady resolve
- vacillatingSwaying between choices
torn · ambivalent · conflicted · irresolute · noncommittal · fence-sitting · dithering · wishy-washy
Uncertain and provisional
- provisionalConditional and possibly temporary
- preliminaryBefore the main part
- exploratorySeeking to discover
- experimentalTesting new methods
speculative · hypothetical · conjectural · unconfirmed · inconclusive · qualified · guarded · cautious
Dangerously insecure
- unstableProne to sudden change
- insecureLacking self-assurance
- riskyInvolving possible harm
- perilousFraught with danger
hazardous · dicey · treacherous · vulnerable · exposed · unprotected · shaky · touch-and-go
Not yet established
- open-endedLacking fixed boundaries
- unknowableImpossible to understand
- unchartedNot yet documented
- unsettledNot yet resolved
pending · unresolved · fluid · unfixed · open · TBD · unascertained · questionable
Cannot be anticipated
- volatileLiable to sudden change
- erraticLacking regularity or consistency
- variableProne to fluctuation
- changeableCapable of alteration
mercurial · capricious · fickle · inconsistent · unstable · random · unforeseen · unforeseeable
doubtful
Uncertain of truth
- skepticalInclined to question claims
- unsureLacking confidence or certainty
- dubiousOf uncertain reliability
questioning · incredulous · disbelieving · distrustful · wary · leery · suspicious · unconvinced · mistrustful · hesitant
vague
Unclear, ill-defined
murky · obscure · indefinite · indistinct · enigmatic · cryptic · opaque · clouded · fuzzy · blurred
undecided
Not having chosen
- indecisiveUnable to make choices
- hesitantSlow to act
- waveringShowing unsteady resolve
vacillating · torn · ambivalent · conflicted · irresolute · noncommittal · fence-sitting · dithering · wishy-washy · uncommitted
tentative
Uncertain and provisional
- provisionalConditional and possibly temporary
- preliminaryBefore the main part
- exploratorySeeking to discover
experimental · speculative · hypothetical · conjectural · unconfirmed · inconclusive · qualified · guarded · cautious · conditional
precarious
Dangerously insecure
perilous · hazardous · dicey · treacherous · vulnerable · exposed · unprotected · shaky · touch-and-go · fraught
undetermined
Not yet established
- open-endedLacking fixed boundaries
- unknowableImpossible to understand
- unchartedNot yet documented
unsettled · pending · unresolved · fluid · unfixed · open · TBD · unascertained · questionable · undecided
unpredictable
Cannot be anticipated
changeable · mercurial · capricious · fickle · inconsistent · unstable · random · unforeseen · unforeseeable · unexpected
- certaintysure, unsure, definite, doubtful, positive
- confusionconfusion, confused, bewilderment, perplexity, baffled
- indecisionindecision, indecisiveness, conflicted, hesitation, indecisive
- uncertaintyunknown, unsure, unclear, doubt, doubtful
- unpredictableunpredictable, unreliable, erratic, inconsistent, variable
- market outlookbullish, bearish, optimistic, pessimistic, forecast
uncertainpredictable
Able to be foreseen
certain · foreseeable · definite · reliable · dependable
- in no uncertain termsWith complete clarity
- uncertainty principleConjugate variables resist simultaneous precision
- uncertain outcomesResults that remain unpredictable
- Heisenberg uncertainty principleFundamental quantum measurement limit
- cone of uncertaintyProjected storm trajectory range
- policy uncertaintyUnclear future government actions