Meaning & use
undoubting
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Meanings
adjectivebefore a nounformalliterary
Having no doubt at all; completely sure that something is true or right.
Grammar: Used before a noun, as in 'her undoubting faith'; it is not usually put after a linking verb.
Patterns
- undoubting belief in something
- undoubting faith
- an undoubting supporter of someone
She spoke with undoubting certainty about the outcome of the trial.
His undoubting faith in the team's methods kept him going through the hard months.
An undoubting supporter of the old system, he refused to consider any reform.
adjectivebefore a nounformalliterary
Showing no hesitation or uncertainty in the way someone acts or decides.
Grammar: Also attributive; it describes the manner of an action rather than a person's general character.
Patterns
- an undoubting step
- undoubting obedience
- with undoubting confidence
With an undoubting step, she walked onto the stage and began to speak.
The soldiers followed orders with undoubting obedience.
Common combinations
- undoubting faith
- Her undoubting faith in her mentor never weakened.
- undoubting belief
- He held an undoubting belief that hard work always pays off.
- undoubting confidence
- She answered every question with undoubting confidence.
- undoubting supporter
- As an undoubting supporter of the plan, he argued for it at every meeting.
Synonyms and how they differ
- certain
- Far more common and can follow a linking verb ('I am certain'), while 'undoubting' normally comes before a noun.
- confident
- Suggests trust in yourself or a good outcome rather than the complete absence of doubt that 'undoubting' stresses.
- unquestioning
- Close in meaning, but it emphasizes not asking questions rather than simply feeling no doubt.
Opposites
Word family
- doubt noun
- a feeling of not being sure about something
- doubt verb
- to think that something may not be true or possible
- doubtful adjective
- feeling unsure, or unlikely to happen
- undoubtedly adverb
- used to say that something is certainly true
Commonly confused: undoubting or undoubted? undoubting or undoubtedly?
undoubting vs undoubted
'Undoubted' means that something is definitely real or true ('her undoubted talent'), while 'undoubting' describes a person who feels no doubt.
undoubting vs undoubtedly
'Undoubtedly' is an adverb meaning 'certainly'; 'undoubting' is an adjective describing someone's attitude.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'undoubting' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Undoubting' is an attributive adjective, so it fits before a noun like 'belief'. Option A wrongly puts it after 'am' where 'certain' or 'sure' would be used, and options C and D use it as an adverb or in a position where 'undoubted' or 'certain' is needed.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “undoubting”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.