secure 1 of 2

verb

Definition of securenext
1
as in to protect
to drive danger or attack away from sent troops to secure the city

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to ensure
to make sure, certain, or safe a retirement account that will help to secure our future

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to fasten
to put securely in place or in a desired position candidates for admission are asked to secure a recent photo to their application forms

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to win
to receive as return for effort finally secured a job after sending out dozens of applications

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

secure

2 of 2

adjective

si-ˈkyu̇r How to pronounce secure (audio)
1
as in confident
having or showing great faith in oneself or one's abilities he's so secure about winning the marathon that he's practically spent the prize money

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in safe
not exposed to the threat of loss or injury the fortress was thought to be secure against attack

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in protecting
providing safety escaped to a secure location

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in reliable
worthy of one's trust a fund that should provide them with a secure income in their retirement

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word secure distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of secure are assure, ensure, and insure. While all these words mean "to make a thing or person sure," secure implies action taken to guard against attack or loss.

sent reinforcements to secure their position

When can assure be used instead of secure?

The words assure and secure can be used in similar contexts, but assure distinctively implies the removal of doubt and suspense from a person's mind.

I assure you that no harm will be done

How does the word ensure relate to other synonyms for secure?

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 it sensible to use insure instead of secure?

While the synonyms insure and secure are close in meaning, insure sometimes stresses the taking of necessary measures beforehand.

careful planning should insure the success of the party

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 secure
Verb
Its top 10 start marks another significant milestone for the group, following its recent signing with Interscope Capitol Labels Group, a fruitful partnership as the label secures its first top 10 debut on Top Latin Albums in 2025. —Pamela Bustios, Billboard, 26 Mar. 2025 Under pressure from Hawley, Perkins resigned her post to secure the Missouri senator’s support to advance Makary out of the Senate health committee. —Gabrielle M. Etzel, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
Other financial aid programs are also secure, the college president said. —Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 20 Mar. 2025 If the sky turns ominous and thunder can be heard, find a secure place for shelter. —Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 20 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for secure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for secure
  1. protect
  2. ensure
  3. fasten
  4. win
  5. confident
  6. safe
  7. reliable
  8. defend
Verb
  • Forbes is protected by reCAPTCHA, and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
    — Tony East, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
  • There’s no amount of wind sprints that can replicate closing out, rotating, contesting, battling for boards, and protecting the rim for long stretches at a time.
    — Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of protect
Verb
  • The Initiative also ensures that HBCUs have the knowledge and tools to implement best practices, execute sophisticated financial strategies, and achieve long-term sustainability.
    — Marybeth Gasman, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
  • Abandoning a difficult policy is easy and quick; ensuring consistent implementation by gaining buy-in from everyone takes time, energy, and commitment.
    — arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 17 Mar. 2025
Definition of ensure
Verb
  • Meanwhile, Campbell, who sat front row, wore hers in silk to fasten an updo.
    — India Espy-Jones, Essence, 14 Mar. 2025
  • That was the year Elizabeth Hurley, then a largely unknown model, arrived for the London premiere of Four Weddings and a Funeral on the arm of then-boyfriend Hugh Grant, wearing a black silk evening gown fastened at the sides with oversized gold safety pins.
    — Laurie Brookins, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of fasten
Verb
  • Maryland had won the previous two meetings with Florida but dropped to 2-3 in the all-time series.
    — Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Olympic Heights, which finished in fifth place in both 2023 and 2024, won the Class 2A Large Non-Tumbling Division.
    — Gary Curreri, Sun Sentinel, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of win
Adjective
  • The guard is one of the more clutch players in the league so if the game gets tight toward the end, Denver feels confident with Murray on the court.
    — Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 22 Mar. 2025
  • The stealth nature and structure of the agreement in addition to the comments made by Caesars and Icahn strongly indicate that this is a very amicable arrangement, and that Icahn is confident in management’s ability.
    — Kenneth Squire, CNBC, 22 Mar. 2025
Definition of confident
Adjective
  • Exploring, discussing and evaluating what would keep our residents safe is an integral part of being a legislator.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2025
  • This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe.
    — Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, FOXNews.com, 26 Mar. 2025
Definition of safe
Adjective
  • What was long known to be fixed and reliable is now fluid and frightening.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 23 Mar. 2025
  • But don't just take it from us, pick up their new cookbook or explore their recipe archives (found for free on their site) filled with reliable formulas for all sorts of baked goods.
    — Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 22 Mar. 2025
Definition of reliable
Verb
  • Marshall also took time to defend Qatar from accusations of buying influence through its contributions to American universities, a point of discourse Qatari agents have historically worked to quash.
    — Robert Schmad, The Washington Examiner, 28 Mar. 2025
  • During World War Two, the United States established over a dozen military bases in Greenland to defend the North Atlantic from Nazi incursion.
    — Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of defend

Browse Nearby Words

seculars
secure
secured
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Cite this Entry

“Secure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/secure. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.

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