certitude

[sur-ti-tood, -tyood]

noun

1. freedom from doubt, especially in matters of faith or opinion; certainty.

   Synonyms: belief, conviction, assurance

certitude

/ ˈsɜːtɪˌtjuːd /

noun

1. confidence; certainty

Other Word Forms

• noncertitude noun
• uncertitude noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of certitude¹

1375–1425; late Middle English < Late Latin certitūdō, equivalent to Latin certi- (combining form of certus sure; certain ) + -tūdō -tude

Word History and Origins

Origin of certitude¹

C15: from Church Latin certitūdō, from Latin certus _certain

Example Sentences

“It’s easy for moral certitude and blindness to be one,” Mr. Jackson writes in condemning a century of American foreign interventions, but his book itself is open to a similar critique.

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It means demanding more of our public discourse than slogans and certitudes.

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America, you’re a big, boisterous nation of more than 342 million people, with all sorts of competing impulses and interests, and no end of certitude to go around.

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It's in that space of theological certitude where Vance's apparent lack of spiritual struggle really stands out.

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We can never actually achieve total certitude about the shapes climate change will take, nor do we need to arrive at certitude to take action.

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