Surety — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˈshu̇r(-ə)-tē/ sure·ty

Meaning & Definition of Surety

Surety (noun)

  1. the state of being sure
  2. sure knowledge, certainty
  3. confidence in manner or behavior, assurance

Surety (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a formal agreement to fulfill an obligation

    "gave his surety that he would pay back the loan if his sister was unable to for any reason"

    similar: bond, contract, covenant, deal, guarantee, guaranty, warranty
    related: oath, pledge, troth, vow, word, accord, bargain, compact, concordat, convention, pact, treaty, assurance, insurance, seal, bail, deposit, pawn, security

  2. a person who takes the responsibility for some other person or thing

    "a mutual friend agreed to act as surety if I lent my cousin some money, since I wasn't certain that she'd be able to pay it back"

    similar: backer, guarantor, patron, sponsor
    related: chaperone, advocate, champion, supporter, angel, benefactor, underwriter, coach, mentor, teacher, cosponsor, cosignatory, cosigner

  3. a state of mind in which one is free from doubt

    "I can't tell you the year in which that event happened with any great surety"

    similar: assurance, assuredness, certainty, certitude, cocksureness, confidence, conviction, doubtlessness, face, positiveness, satisfaction, sureness
    related: authoritarianism, dogmatism, decisiveness, determination, firmness, purposefulness, resoluteness, resolution, resolve
    opposite: doubt, incertitude, nonconfidence, uncertainty
    near: hesitancy, hesitation, indecisiveness, irresolution, disbelief, incredulity, unbelief, anxiety, concern, misgiving, distrust, mistrust, suspicion

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Surety

The most common words with a similar meaning to Surety:

bond, contract, covenant, deal, guarantee, guaranty, warranty, backer, guarantor, patron, sponsor, assurance, assuredness, certainty, certitude, cocksureness, confidence, conviction, doubtlessness, face, positiveness, satisfaction, sureness

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Surety

Words with the opposite meaning of Surety:

doubt, incertitude, nonconfidence, uncertainty

Related Words for Surety

oath, pledge, troth, vow, word, accord, bargain, compact, concordat, convention, pact, treaty, insurance, seal, bail, deposit, pawn, security, chaperone, advocate, champion, supporter, angel, benefactor, underwriter, coach, mentor, teacher, cosponsor, cosignatory

Near Antonyms of Surety

hesitancy, hesitation, indecisiveness, irresolution, disbelief, incredulity, unbelief, anxiety, concern, misgiving, distrust, mistrust, suspicion

Word Forms of Surety

Inflections: sureties

Derived words: suretyship (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Surety

Middle English seurte, from Anglo-French seurté, from Latin securitat-, securitas security, from securus

First known use: 14th century

Words & Phrases Containing Surety

surety bond, stand surety

Frequently Asked Questions about Surety

What does "Surety" mean?

"Surety" means the state of being sure. As a noun, it is defined as: the state of being sure. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Surety"?

Other words for "Surety" include bond, contract, covenant, deal, guarantee, guaranty, warranty and backer. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Surety" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Surety"?

There are 63 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Surety". Common alternatives include bond, contract, covenant, deal, guarantee, guaranty, warranty, backer, guarantor and patron.

What is the opposite of "Surety"?

Antonyms of "Surety" include doubt, incertitude, nonconfidence and uncertainty. Near antonyms include hesitancy, hesitation, indecisiveness and irresolution.

How do you use "Surety" in a sentence?

Examples of "Surety" in a sentence: "gave his surety that he would pay back the loan if his sister was unable to for any reason"; "a mutual friend agreed to act as surety if I lent my cousin some money, since I wasn't certain that she'd be able to pay it back"; "I can't tell you the year in which that event happened with any great surety".

Is "Surety" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Surety" is a noun.

How do you pronounce "Surety"?

"Surety" is pronounced /ˈshu̇r(-ə)-tē/ and divided into syllables as sure·ty.

What is the origin of the word "Surety"?

"Surety" comes from Middle English seurte, from Anglo-French seurté, from Latin securitat-, securitas security, from securus. First known use: 14th century.