How is the word insure distinct from other similar verbs?
Some common synonyms of insure are assure, ensure, and secure. While all these words mean "to make a thing or person sure," insure sometimes stresses the taking of necessary measures beforehand.
careful planning should insure the success of the party
When can assure be used instead of insure?
In some situations, the words assure and insure are roughly equivalent. However, assure distinctively implies the removal of doubt and suspense from a person's mind.
I assure you that no harm will be done
How is ensure related to other words for insure?
Ensure, insure, and assure are interchangeable in many contexts where they indicate the making certain or inevitable of an outcome, but ensure may imply a virtual guarantee.
the government has ensured the safety of the refugees
When is secure a more appropriate choice than insure?
The words secure and insure can be used in similar contexts, but secure implies action taken to guard against attack or loss.
sent reinforcements to secure their position
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of insureMost likely, there will be property owners in both Pacific Palisades and Altadena who decide to take their insurance money, if they are insured, and move elsewhere.—Doug Smith, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2025 Commercially insured 18- to 64-year-old cancer patients often bear larger financial burdens than Medicare patients.—Barbara A. Perry, Newsweek, 28 Jan. 2025 According to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association, 6.25 million pets were insured in North America in 2023.—Krystal Nurse, USA TODAY, 25 Jan. 2025 Preston said the company, which currently has 13 employees, has only insured a few properties so far, but is in talks with hundreds of potential customers.—Ari Levy, CNBC, 19 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for insure
Testing the bowl clearance ensures that the attachments–like the paddle or whisk–are at the proper height.
—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
9 Feb. 2025
Moreover, by removing access to funding for underserved communities, the government is ensuring that some stories get told while others remain silenced.
But there is still room for improvement, and the challenges that the league has faced in some markets are also bound to inform decisions on potential expansion — which is not guaranteed, but could come as soon as next season.
—
Carol Schram,
Forbes,
8 Feb. 2025
Therefore, quality and safety of supplements are not guaranteed.
Share