insecure
adjective
in·se·cure
ˌin-si-ˈkyu̇r 
1
a
: deficient in assurance : beset by fear and anxiety
always felt insecure in a group of strangers
b
: not highly stable or well-adjusted
an insecure marriage
2
: not confident or sure : uncertain
feeling somewhat insecure of his reception
3
: not adequately guarded or sustained : unsafe
an insecure investment
4
: not firmly fastened or fixed : shaky
the hinge is loose and insecure
5
: unable to reliably afford or access what is needed to meet one's basic needs
families that are housing insecure [=that are at risk of losing their housing]
see also food insecure
insecurely
adverb
insecureness
noun
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Synonyms
Examples of insecure in a Sentence
I feel shy and insecure around strangers.
One of the building's rear doors was insecure.
The country's borders remain insecure.
Recent Examples on the Web
In fact, the more humiliated and insecure Iran becomes, the more likely the regime in Tehran will see Hezbollah as a necessary bulwark against Israel, especially if the organization manages to restore Iran’s trust in its capabilities.
—
Mohanad Hage Ali, Foreign Affairs, 1 Nov. 2024
But the false belief that this is happening at rates that may tip the election toward Democrats who are out to steal it (again) marries two of the biggest themes in Republican messaging: that America’s borders and elections are insecure.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 25 Oct. 2024
Feeling uneasy or insecure in such situations is completely natural—and a valid reaction, at that.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
And, surprisingly, O’Malley’s character—Matt Lohan, a dopey 32-year-old father who is insecure about his masculinity—might be the least developed and funny of the group.
—Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 30 Oct. 2024
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Mohanad Hage Ali, Foreign Affairs, 1 Nov. 2024
But the false belief that this is happening at rates that may tip the election toward Democrats who are out to steal it (again) marries two of the biggest themes in Republican messaging: that America’s borders and elections are insecure.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 25 Oct. 2024
Feeling uneasy or insecure in such situations is completely natural—and a valid reaction, at that.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
And, surprisingly, O’Malley’s character—Matt Lohan, a dopey 32-year-old father who is insecure about his masculinity—might be the least developed and funny of the group.
—Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 30 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for insecure
Dictionary Entries Near insecure
Cite this Entry
“Insecure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/insecure. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
insecure
adjective
in·se·cure
ˌin(t)-si-ˈkyu̇(ə)r
1
: not confident or sure : uncertain
felt insecure about their response
2
: not well protected : not safe
insecure property
3
: not firmly fastened : loose
an insecure hinge
4
: lacking self-assurance
insecure people
insecurely
adverb
Medical Definition
insecure
adjective
in·se·cure
ˌin(t)-si-ˈkyu̇(ə)r
: characterized by or causing emotional insecurity
an insecure childhood
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