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
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Recent Examples of insureCompanies that insure ships against the risks of traveling in war zones are deciding whether to issue coverage on an individual-ship basis.—Charles Edward Gehrke, The Conversation, 10 Mar. 2026 And Notre Dame is insuring itself against it.—Pete Sampson, New York Times, 9 Mar. 2026 But money market accounts at banks are FDIC-insured.—Christine Benz, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2026 Trump issued a plan Friday to insure losses up to approximately $20 billion in the Gulf region, aiming to restore confidence in maritime trade, help stabilize international commerce and support American and allied businesses operating in the Middle East.—Cathy Bussewitz, Fortune, 7 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for insure
In practice, that means the Commission is wary of big mergers, unless they are paired with social taxes — protecting jobs, expanding network coverage in poorer areas and ensuring the Black majority benefits.
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Tiisetso Motsoeneng,
semafor.com,
20 Mar. 2026
Its dual custom passive radiators provide a best-in-class bass punch, while its 14-hour battery life ensures your soundtrack outlasts the sunset.
By narrowing the ban to just polystyrene and allowing customers to ask for plastic straws and utensils, Bumgardner said he’d been assured groups such as the Connecticut Business and Industry Association would not actively oppose the effort.
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John Moritz,
Hartford Courant,
15 Mar. 2026
Washington coach Brian Keefe seemed fine with Adebayo scoring big to assure the Heat won the game right to the point his team was on the embarrassing side of history.
The primary winner is all but guaranteed the seat in the heavily Democratic district that stretches along the lakefront on the South Side and includes suburbs like Harvey, Dolton and Pontiac.
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Jake Sheridan,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
Yet a ship that broadcasts its Chinese affiliation does not always guarantee a safe passage.