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 insureAbsent a universal measure to insure private risk-takers, the long-term consequences are dangerous.—Ugo Troiano, Oc Register, 25 Oct. 2025 Porter was monitoring the concentration to insure that the scene didn’t turn unnecessarily deadly.—Katie Thornton, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2025 The pieces were not insured, which is not uncommon for state collections because of the prohibitive costs, the Times reported, citing France’s culture ministry.—Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2025 The whole me is insured, but not specific things.—Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for insure
The pair played key roles in ensuring West Ham’s safety, and Nuno will hope potential arrivals have similar impacts.
—
Chris Weatherspoon,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
Victory would ensure Democratic control of the court through the next few elections, just a year after Republicans won every statewide race in Pennsylvania.
One reason depositors and investors were paying no attention to the big banks’ high-risk lending strategy is that everything was guaranteed.
—
Stephen Moore,
Boston Herald,
29 Oct. 2025
In a series of videos and during a press conference, the group emphasized the contributions of immigrants to South Florida, called on common-sense immigration reform that secures borders but guarantees compassionate treatment of immigrants, and stressed the constitutional right to due process.
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