What's the difference between uncertain and vague?

Uncertain


Definition:

  • (a.) Not certain; not having certain knowledge; not assured in mind; distrustful.
  • (a.) Irresolute; inconsonant; variable; untrustworthy; as, an uncertain person; an uncertain breeze.
  • (a.) Questionable; equivocal; indefinite; problematical.
  • (a.) Not sure; liable to fall or err; fallible.
  • (a.) To make uncertain.

Example Sentences:

  • (1) However, the mechanism of the inhibitory action is still somewhat uncertain.
  • (2) Of course the job is not done and we will continue to remain vigilant to all risks, particularly when the global economic situation is so uncertain,” the chancellor said in a statement.
  • (3) The functional significance of these early changes in the nodal region is uncertain.
  • (4) Preservation of dopaminergic and H1 neurotransmission, probably within the blood barrier, is needed to allow the neuroendocrine transduction of cholinergic inputs, whereas the role of 5-HT neurotransmission remains uncertain.
  • (5) The nature of these infiltrative foci remains uncertain; however, they are unlikely to have been of neoplastic origin and may be due to interleukin-2-induced lymphocytic infiltration.
  • (6) Whether or not any alteration in disease progression will accrue from demonstrated local downstaging is, of course, uncertain.
  • (7) Similarly, it appears that acute hydronephrosis or worsening of an existing hydronephrosis has been somewhat overlooked as a possible cause of uncertain abdominal pain during pregnancy.
  • (8) In 11 patients, the electrophysiological mechanism remained uncertain.
  • (9) The nature of the cystatin C-immunoreactive substance in some of these vascular lesions is uncertain, but it might conceivably play an additional important role in the pathogenesis of brain hemorrhage in these cases.
  • (10) The mechanism of action is still uncertain but it is believed by some workers to be similar to that of a beta-adrenergic stimulator.
  • (11) Assays of drug levels in blood and of other biochemical characteristics of psychiatric patients are being proposed for clinical application, although their utility in practice remains uncertain.
  • (12) In 26 patients, including the two reported here, etiology was uncertain (idiopathic aneurysm of the left ventricle) in as much as malformation or an infectious disease might have been the underlying cause.
  • (13) Instead of inevitable defeat there is uncertain cop-out.
  • (14) The aetiology remains at present uncertain and therefore rational therapeutic strategies are difficult to plan.
  • (15) It was concluded that (1) there is a group of patients whose histories of poliomyelitis are uncertain, and (2) the lack of clear evidence for previous denervation after extensive electrodiagnostic testing is a valid means for excluding the diagnosis of postpoliomyelitis syndrome.
  • (16) Although approximately 24,000 adolescents were questioned, the investigations together provide an uncertain picture of the habits as these are not representative for Danish adolescents.
  • (17) McCall said the outlook remained uncertain: “The economic and operating environment remains uncertain, following the high levels of disruption and more recently the UK’s referendum decision to leave the EU, as well as the recent events in Turkey and Nice, which have affected consumer confidence.
  • (18) The significance of this event is uncertain; cleaved NGF demonstrates bioactivity and no function has been attributed to the octapeptide produced (NGF-OP; Ser-Ser-Thr-His-Pro-Val-Phe-His).
  • (19) While the histogenesis of these tumors remain uncertain, it is necessary to recognize that these aggressive neoplasms may occur primarily in the skin.
  • (20) Estimates of the number of eventual TA-AIDS cases to be seen are considerably more uncertain and require additional assumptions about the incubation distribution.

Vague


Definition:

  • (v. i.) Wandering; vagrant; vagabond.
  • (v. i.) Unsettled; unfixed; undetermined; indefinite; ambiguous; as, a vague idea; a vague proposition.
  • (v. i.) Proceeding from no known authority; unauthenticated; uncertain; flying; as, a vague report.
  • (n.) An indefinite expanse.
  • (v. i.) To wander; to roam; to stray.
  • (n.) A wandering; a vagary.

Example Sentences:

  • (1) In view of its infrequent and vague presentation, care is required to avoid overlooking the diagnosis of abdominal tuberculosis, particularly in the immigrant population.
  • (2) Congenital defect of a cervical pedicle produces a rare clinical syndrome with a characteristic X-ray picture associated with vague clinical signs often accentuated after trauma.
  • (3) Such an explanation not only remains vague and speculative but deserves criticism also for being incomplete.
  • (4) What are New York values?” he asked the crowd, alluding to Cruz’s vague denigration of those “liberal” values in a January debate.
  • (5) Chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is an autoimmune disorder in which the abnormality in cellular immunity has remained only vaguely defined.
  • (6) The family physician who sees many children with vague abdominal pain must include peptic ulcer disease in the differential diagnosis.
  • (7) The remaining patients had vague pains, tender abdomen, constitutional symptoms or a mass in the abdomen.
  • (8) The system was "flawed" and the rules were "vague".
  • (9) The Japanese preferred alternative was to give a vague alternative diagnosis such as neurasthenia.
  • (10) Veering between a patronising video , a vague report and impenetrable financial data does not amount to openness and accountability.
  • (11) "In addition, the Department for Communities and Local Government [DCLG] has failed to provide the council with any cost estimates for the audit apart from the vague statement that costs are likely to be 'within £1m'.
  • (12) The diagnosis of leptospirosis is often difficult to make because of vague and mild symptoms.
  • (13) Since the day of action was announced, there has been a new mood in the group; some people talk somewhat vaguely about Tunisia and Egypt; mass protest is in the air.
  • (14) A case is reported where pneumoperitoneum developed after the surgical procedure with vague abdominal symptoms accompanied by fever and leukocytosis.
  • (15) This feature of ILC may also help explain why tumors may be palpable as areas of vague induration or thickening rather than as discrete masses.
  • (16) A 57-year-old man was admitted with the complaints of vague headache and left upper limb numbness.
  • (17) Polling suggests that people prefer the Conservatives on immigration because they expect them to be "tougher" in some vague, generic sense, rather than because they believe in their policies.
  • (18) As biological discharge phenomena evolve into vague psychological awareness, such an infant does not attain a sense of well-being, but rather attains a sense of "not-well-being" (Joffe and Sandler, 1965) which remains continuous or can be triggered--kindled--by any reactivating constellation, and the object is experienced as a source of unpleasure.
  • (19) The only time I see him in even vague bad humour is when a wardrobe assistant tries to neaten a dancer's hair.
  • (20) The concept of fuzzy sets was chosen for its ability to represent classes of objects that are vaguely described from the measured data.