Critical & Creative Thinking Resources: Definitions of Certain Synonyms

certainty, certitude, conviction mean a state of being free from doubt.

certainty may stress the existence of objective proof - claims that cannot be confirmed with scientific certainty

certitude may emphasize a faith in something not needing or not capable of proof. - believes with certitude in an afterlife

conviction applies to a firmly and seriously held belief. - the conviction that animal life is as sacred as human

sure, certain, positive, cocksure mean having no doubt or uncertainty.

sure usually stresses the subjective or intuitive feeling of assurance. - felt sure that I had forgotten something

certain may apply to a basing of a conclusion or conviction on definite grounds or indubitable evidence. - police are certain about the cause of the fire

positive intensifies sureness or certainty and may imply opinionated conviction or forceful expression of it. - I'm positive that's the person I saw

cocksure implies presumptuous or careless positiveness. - you're always so cocksure about everything

opinion, view, belief, conviction, persuasion, sentiment mean a judgment one holds as true.

opinion implies a conclusion thought out yet open to dispute. - each expert seemed to have a different opinion

view suggests a subjective opinion. - very assertive in stating his views

belief implies often deliberate acceptance and intellectual assent. - a firm belief in her party's platform

persuasion suggests a belief grounded on assurance (as by evidence) of its truth. - was of the persuasion that everything changes

sentiment suggests a settled opinion reflective of one's feelings. - her feminist sentiments are well-known

predilection, prepossession, prejudice, bias mean an attitude of mind that predisposes one to favor something.

predilection implies a strong liking deriving from one's temperament or experience. - a predilection for travel

prepossession suggests a fixed conception likely to preclude objective judgment of anything counter to it. - a prepossession against technology

prejudice usually implies an unfavorable prepossession and connotes a feeling rooted in suspicion, fear, or intolerance. - a mindless prejudice against the unfamiliar

bias implies an unreasoned and unfair distortion of judgment in favor of or against a person or thing. - a strong bias toward the plaintiff

sense, common sense, judgment, wisdom mean ability to reach intelligent conclusions.

sense implies a reliable ability to judge and decide with soundness, prudence, and intelligence. - a choice showing good sense

common sense suggests an average degree of such ability without sophistication or special knowledge. - common sense tells me it's wrong

judgment implies sense tempered and refined by experience, training, and maturity. - they relied on her judgment for guidance

wisdom implies sense and judgment far above average. - a leader of rare wisdom