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View synonyms for

insecure

[ in-si-kyoor ]

adjective

  1. subject to fears, doubts, etc.; not self-confident or assured:

    an insecure person.

  2. not confident or certain; uneasy; anxious:

    He was insecure about the examination.

  3. not secure; exposed or liable to risk, loss, or danger:

    an insecure stock portfolio.

    Synonyms:

  4. not firmly or reliably placed or fastened:

    an insecure ladder.



insecure

/ ˌɪԲɪˈʊə /

adjective

  1. anxious or afraid; not confident or certain
  2. not adequately protected

    an insecure fortress

  3. unstable or shaky
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˌԲˈܰٲ, noun
  • ˌԲˈܰ, adverb
  • ˌԲˈܰԱ, noun
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Other Word Forms

  • ȴ·ܰl adverb
  • ȴ·ܰn noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of insecure1

From the Medieval Latin word Բŧūܲ, dating back to 1640–50. See in- 3, secure
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Synonym Study

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

"I always was insecure about my body, and that got highlighted as I got famous," says the singer, who last year revealed he'd developed an eating disorder due to body dysmorphia.

From

"This... is a very tyrannical law which the government only needs because it feels insecure."

From

One study found that roughly one in three older Americans is economically insecure, living at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level.

From

"I'm quite a caregiver by nature, and that attracts boys who need a lot of help, or are very insecure," the singer reflects.

From

"Certainly all ambulance workers, all medics, all humanitarian workers inside Gaza right now feel increasingly insecure, increasingly fragile," Mr Rose says.

From

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More About Insecure

does insecure mean?

Insecure means subject to fears and doubt, as in Sally was such an insecure person that she didn’t believe she did anything well, even when she got A’s on her tests.

Insecure can also mean anxious or uneasy, as in Tom was insecure about his chances for a promotion, worrying about it so much that he couldn’t sleep at night.

Insecure can mean not secure, that is, exposed to danger or risk. A safe with a broken lock would be an insecure safe. Anyone could open the safe and take what was inside.

Lastly, insecure can refer to something that is not firmly placed or fastened, as with a fire escape that is not completely fastened to a building.

Example: The bankrobbers easily broke into the insecure vault and escaped with all of the money.

Where does insecure come from?

The first records of the word insecure come from around 1640. It comes from the Medieval Latin word Բŧūܲ, which combines the negative prefix in- and the word secure, meaning “safe.”

When we’re talking about objects, we use insecure to mean the object lacks security (like your bank account) or is unstable (as in a ladder). Insecure, like the word uncertain, is used to describe something as risky or unpredictable. The word insecure often implies that the thing is likely to fail or come to harm.

When we use the word insecure to describe people, we often mean people who lack self-confidence or who need validation. Interestingly, some mental health experts argue that social media has made many more people feel insecure because of the amount of criticism they receive online or because they are constantly comparing themselves to others.

Did you know … ?

are some other forms related to insecure?

  • insecurely (adverb)
  • insecureness (noun)
  • insecurity (noun)

are some synonyms for insecure?

are some words that share a root or word element with insecure?

are some words that often get used in discussing insecure?

How is insecure used in real life?

Insecure is a common word. Social media often makes people feel extremely insecure.

Try using insecure!

Which of the following words would NOT be a synonym of insecure?

A. apprehensive
B. unsure
C. confident
D. anxious

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