assure

verb as·sure \ ə-ˈshu̇r \

Updated on: 9 May 2018

Definition of assure

assured; assuring

transitive verb

1 : to make sure or certain : convince

glancing back to assure himself no one was following

2 : to inform positively

I assure you that we can do it.

3 : to make certain the coming or attainment of : guarantee

worked hard to assure accuracy

4 : to make safe (as from risks or against overthrow) : insure

assured the security of the country

5 : to give confidence to

And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts …
—1 John 3:19 (King James Version)

See assure defined for English-language learners

See assure defined for kids

Examples of assure in a Sentence

I can assure you that you won't be disappointed.
a minister choosing just the right words to assure the grieving parents of the fallen soldier

Recent Examples of assure from the Web

Kanye West, in trying to defend his inflammatory comments about slavery, has been tweeting lynching imagery to assure fans he won't be silenced.

— CBS News, "Stars receive backlash for crying "lynching"," 4 May 2018
Specifically, the governor wants to be assured the money is spent in the most-effective way to help kids.

— mary jo pitzl, The Republic | azcentral.com, "What if Arizona received $60 million but couldn't spend it? That might happen," 3 May 2018
Someone needs to assure the public that, by and large, the players that fans are paying to watch are competing not amid a tsunami, but in sunlight.

— jon wertheim, SI.com, "Mailbag: Adding Some Much-Needed Context to the Report On Corruption Within Tennis," 2 May 2018
Many likely grew to distrust physicians who tried to assure them their children did not need to be evaluated for a mythical condition.

— Philly.com, "Drowning is never dry: Two ER doctors explain the real swimming danger kids face," 2 May 2018
As Meyers pointed out, the smartest strategy for Trump at this point would have been to play up Cohen’s role within his legal team, to assure that their dealings are protected by attorney-client privilege.

— laura bradley, HWD, "A Giddy Seth Meyers Recaps Trump’s Fox & Friends Meltdown: “Look at Those Faces!”," 27 Apr. 2018
Indeed, the post-credits scene, in which Nick Fury sends a desperate message to Captain Marvel, setting up her inclusion in the Marvel universe, exists almost solely to assure viewers that this story will be reversed.

— todd vanderwerff, Vox, "It writes a check its sequel probably can’t cash.," 27 Apr. 2018
The legislation's most dramatic change is creating a blanket mechanical license and an agency to assign rights and collect royalty payments and performance reports from digital services to assure proper payments to songwriters and publishers.

— ed christman, Billboard, "Music Modernization Act Unanimously Passes US House of Representatives," 25 Apr. 2018
The President has effectively executed the primary responsibility of the President of the United States, which is assuring safety and security of the American people.

— cynthia sewell, idahostatesman, "14 Idaho candidates on Trump, how they voted & his job performance today | Idaho Statesman," 24 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'assure.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of assure

Middle English, from Anglo-French asseurer, assurer, from Medieval Latin assecurare, from Latin ad- + securus secure

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 4

See Words from the same year

assure Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of assure

ensure, insure, assure, secure 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

, while insure sometimes stresses the taking of necessary measures beforehand

- careful planning should insure the success of the party

, and assure distinctively implies the removal of doubt and suspense from a person's mind.

- I assure you that no harm will be done

secure implies action taken to guard against attack or loss.

- sent reinforcements to secure their position

ASSURE Defined for English Language Learners

assure

verb

Definition of assure for English Language Learners

: to make (something) certain
: to tell someone in a very strong and definite way that something will happen or that something is true

ASSURE Defined for Kids

assure

verb as·sure \ ə-ˈshu̇r \

Definition of assure for Students

assured; assuring

1 : to give certainty, confidence, or comfort to

He assured the children all was well.

She assured herself that the doors were locked.

2 : to inform positively

I assure you that you won't be disappointed.

3 : to provide a guarantee of

assure their safety

Hard work assures success.

Law Dictionary

assure

transitive verb as·sure

legal Definition of assure

assured; assuring

1 chiefly British : insure

2 a : to inform positively

the seller assured the buyer of his honesty

b : to provide a guarantee of

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assure

Definition of assure

Examples of assure in a Sentence

Recent Examples of assure from the Web

Origin and Etymology of assure

assure Synonyms

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Synonym Discussion of assure

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ASSURE Defined for English Language Learners

assure

Definition of assure for English Language Learners

ASSURE Defined for Kids

assure

Definition of assure for Students

Law Dictionary

assure

legal Definition of assure

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