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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

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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

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secure

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adjective

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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

Examples 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
Jacques Audiard’s Spanish-language flick Emilia Pérez secured 10, including an historic Best Actress in a Motion Picture nom for Karla Sofía Gascón, who would become the first out trans performer to win a top acting category at the Globes. Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 13 Dec. 2024 Manhattan prosecutors on Thursday started presenting evidence to a grand jury to secure an indictment for the high-profile killing, according to ABC. Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 13 Dec. 2024
Adjective
Project Texas, a TikTok initiative that sought to assuage government concerns about data security, created a U.S. subsidiary to handle American user data and established a secure environment for TikTok’s U.S. services within Oracle’s cloud. Julia Shapero, The Hill, 12 Dec. 2024 Once a vehicle is selected, customers can complete the preliminary paperwork online and secure financing, before placing their order. Saman Shafiq, USA TODAY, 11 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for secure 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for secure
Verb
  • Wear gloves while sharpening to protect your hands and wipe off the tools with a clean cloth when you're done.
    Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Dec. 2024
  • There are two types of lymphocytes: B and T. B lymphocytes protect the body by making proteins called antibodies to destroy bacteria, viruses, and fungi in the body.
    Doru Paul, Health, 7 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • However, building these systems at scale requires deep engineering expertise and skilled teams to ensure success.
    William Mullane, USA TODAY, 18 Dec. 2024
  • Both of the cameras capture video with sound, and the front-facing camera will automatically pan to ensure it's focused on a bird.
    Medea Giordano, WIRED, 17 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Middleton looked vibrant and healthy while wearing a long red coat with a large black bow fastened to the collar.
    Janelle Ash, Fox News, 7 Dec. 2024
  • Pull neck skin to back and fasten with a small skewer.
    Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Lottery News:Man can't find second winning lottery ticket, sues over $394 million jackpot, lawsuit says Powerball winning numbers for 12/14/2024 The winning numbers for the Powerball drawing on Saturday, Dec. 14 are 11, 17, 23, 52 and 67.
    Ahjané Forbes, USA TODAY, 15 Dec. 2024
  • The Jets went 30-64 under Douglas and did not make the playoffs or finish with a winning record in any year of his tenure.
    Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 15 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • But while these global companies appeared confident in their strategies, tariffs could significantly hinder smaller brands.
    Kathryn Hopkins, WWD, 10 Dec. 2024
  • In fact, a 2023 survey by College Pulse found that only 49% of college students feel confident about their career prospects.
    Subha Barry, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Fire, emergency, and police services keep us safe and enable protection of our property.
    Marshall Shepherd, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024
  • This is the very edge of California’s dairy country—and so far, the cows here are safe.
    Simon Hill, WIRED, 14 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • And while that’s not a reason to abandon AI tools, a recent study should remind programmers that even reliable versions of the technology are still prone to bouts of weirdness—like claiming knee X-rays can prove someone drinks beer or eats refried beans.
    Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 13 Dec. 2024
  • The Geminids, which are bright and have a yellow hue, are considered one of the best and most reliable annual meteor showers, when at least 120 meteors are usually seen per hour during its peak, NASA says.
    Chandelis Duster, NPR, 12 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Despite so much going on in his life, Anthony’s zeal for defending the rights of insurance policyholders remains as strong as ever.
    Kyle J. Russell, USA TODAY, 16 Dec. 2024
  • One of the founders of U.S. Steel, and a key figure in the creation of General Electric, Morgan, who helped President Grover Cleveland avert a national financial disaster, in 1895, by defending the gold standard, didn’t have much patience for those who felt there were things that couldn’t get done.
    Hilton Als, The New Yorker, 16 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near secure

Cite this Entry

“Secure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/secure. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

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