How is the word ensure distinct from other similar verbs?
Some common synonyms of ensure are assure, insure, and secure. While all these words mean "to make a thing or person sure," 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
Where would assure be a reasonable alternative to ensure?
The meanings of assure and ensure largely overlap; however, assure distinctively implies the removal of doubt and suspense from a person's mind.
I assure you that no harm will be done
When could insure be used to replace ensure?
Although the words insure and ensure have much in common, insure sometimes stresses the taking of necessary measures beforehand.
careful planning should insure the success of the party
When is secure a more appropriate choice than ensure?
The words secure and ensure 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
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Recent Examples of ensureControlling a fire means ensuring that the fire can't spread or cross the containment line.—Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 25 Sep. 2025 Structural Integrity Reserve Studies (SIRS) are now mandatory, and associations must ensure digital records are easily accessible to both owners and regulators.—Maria Williams, USA Today, 25 Sep. 2025 Phil Harris, chief revenue officer at Avra, noted the practices his company is teaching farmers to mitigate climate impact and ensure these farms will continue to thrive and produce for decades to come.—Lauren Giella, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Sep. 2025 Brady’s access during pre-game production meetings with players and coaches had been limited to ensure the former quarterback was unable to – wittingly or unwittingly – feed information on how teams are going to play or details from their playbook back to the Raiders.—Ben Morse, CNN Money, 25 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ensure
The exterior is embossed with the brand name that gives it a luxe, high-end feel, but rest assured, its $30 price tag is very much within your travel budget without skimping on quality construction.
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Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Sep. 2025
Wildmon died on the eve of 2024, his legacy assured.
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Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Sep. 2025
Staffing levels to help in emergencies and maintain trash, restrooms, campgrounds and roads are not guaranteed, according to the National Park Service.
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Katie Wiseman,
IndyStar,
2 Oct. 2025
The White House said the executive order guarantees that AI will be integrated into US Department of Health and Human Services systems for sharing health information among health care systems, organizations and patients.
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