unsureness
Lack of certainty
Unsureness is the state of being uncertain or lacking confidence.
The word is uncommon—uncertainty and doubt cover the same ground more naturally: Her unsureness about the decision kept her up at night.
Most writers reach for other options.
Disposition toward doubt
- uncertaintyState of being unsure
- mistrustLack of faith
- distrustAbsence of confidence
- suspicionSense of unease about motives
questioning · disbelief · misgiving · wariness · reservation · dubiousness · qualm · scruple
Temporary cessation of activity
- waveringShowing unsteady resolve
- falteringBecoming unsteady or weak
- reluctanceDisinclination to act
- tentativenessState of being uncertain
timidity · balking · dithering · flinching · trepidation · hanging back · holding back · reticence
Inability to choose
- ambivalenceConflicting emotions coexisting
- dilemmaForced choice between undesirables
- irresolutionLack of firm decision
- quandaryState of perplexity
fence-sitting · equivocation · fluctuation · inconclusiveness · noncommittal · perplexity · torn · conflicted
Openness to multiple interpretations
- indefinitenessLack of clear boundaries
- hazinessState of being unclear
- nebulousnessQuality of being indistinct
- fuzzinessIndistinct or unclear quality
imprecision · murkiness · unclearness · indistinctness · cloudiness · obscurity · blurriness · inconclusiveness
skepticism
Disposition toward doubt
- uncertaintyState of being unsure
- mistrustLack of faith
- distrustAbsence of confidence
suspicion · questioning · disbelief · misgiving · wariness · reservation · dubiousness · qualm · scruple · incredulity
pause
Temporary cessation of activity
- waveringShowing unsteady resolve
- falteringBecoming unsteady or weak
- reluctanceDisinclination to act
tentativeness · timidity · balking · dithering · flinching · trepidation · hanging back · holding back · reticence · cautiousness
vacillation
Inability to choose
- ambivalenceConflicting emotions coexisting
- dilemmaForced choice between undesirables
- irresolutionLack of firm decision
quandary · fence-sitting · equivocation · fluctuation · inconclusiveness · noncommittal · perplexity · torn · conflicted · wishy-washy
ambiguity
Openness to multiple interpretations
- indefinitenessLack of clear boundaries
- hazinessState of being unclear
- nebulousnessQuality of being indistinct
fuzziness · imprecision · murkiness · unclearness · indistinctness · cloudiness · obscurity · blurriness · inconclusiveness · uncertainty
- doubtdoubt, doubts, doubting, doubtful, skepticism
unsurenesscertainty
Total absence of doubt
sureness · conviction · certitude · assurance · confidence
unsurenessself-confidence
Faith in one's capabilities
self-assurance · confidence · assurance · self-possession · assuredness
sure, surely, unsure, ensure, insure, insurance, reassure, assurance, assure