insecurity
noun
in·se·cu·ri·ty
ˌin-si-ˈkyu̇r-ə-tē 
plural insecurities
: the quality or state of being insecure: such as
a
: a state or feeling of anxiety, fear, or self-doubt
troubled by (feelings of) insecurity
Deep down he knows his swagger is just insecurity masquerading as confidence.—
Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly… the questions we don't dare ask reflect our deepest insecurities about relationships.—J. D. Heiman
J. D. HeimanThey rarely have a confidante with whom they can compare notes, share crushes, and discuss insecurities.—Kristen Golden
Kristen Golden
b
: lack of dependability or certainty
job insecurity
financial insecurity
the insecurity of their future
often, specifically
: lack of a reliable means of meeting one's basic needs
families who are experiencing housing insecurity
see also food insecurity
c
: lack of safety or protection
the insecurity of the investment
revealed the insecurities [=vulnerabilities] in their system
Synonyms
Examples of insecurity in a Sentence
the insecurity of the bookcase made it dangerous for a household with small children who like to climb
Recent Examples on the Web
Tall poppy syndrome often stems from a place of fear or insecurity.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025
If you’re confronted with lingering fears and insecurities, this is your chance to release them.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 1 Jan. 2025
The fear of being next on the social media chopping block prevents us from admitting our ugly insecurities, our primal urges, or our more taboo thoughts.
—Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 31 Dec. 2024
Fans of tariffs—a group that currently includes Trump—will apply them to remedy economic insecurity and all else that ails the United States.
—Henry Farrell, Foreign Affairs, 23 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for insecurity 
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Mark Travers, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025
If you’re confronted with lingering fears and insecurities, this is your chance to release them.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 1 Jan. 2025
The fear of being next on the social media chopping block prevents us from admitting our ugly insecurities, our primal urges, or our more taboo thoughts.
—Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 31 Dec. 2024
Fans of tariffs—a group that currently includes Trump—will apply them to remedy economic insecurity and all else that ails the United States.
—Henry Farrell, Foreign Affairs, 23 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for insecurity
Dictionary Entries Near insecurity
Cite this Entry
“Insecurity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/insecurity. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
insecurity
noun
in·se·cu·ri·ty
-ˈkyu̇r-ət-ē
plural insecurities
: a feeling of apprehensiveness and uncertainty : lack of assurance or stability
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