insecure

adjective

in·​se·​cure ˌin-si-ˈkyu̇r 

1

a

: deficient in assurance : beset by fear and anxiety

always felt insecure in a group of strangers

b

: not highly stable or well-adjusted

an insecure marriage

2

: not confident or sure : uncertain

feeling somewhat insecure of his reception

3

: not adequately guarded or sustained : unsafe

an insecure investment

4

: not firmly fastened or fixed : shaky

the hinge is loose and insecure

5

: unable to reliably afford or access what is needed to meet one's basic needs

families that are housing insecure [=that are at risk of losing their housing]

see also food insecure

insecurely adverb

insecureness noun

Word Icons

Synonyms

• lax
• loose
• loosened
• relaxed
• slack
• slackened
• unsecured

Examples of insecure in a Sentence

I feel shy and insecure around strangers.

One of the building's rear doors was insecure.

The country's borders remain insecure.

Recent Examples on the Web

Vizier says that Blanchard told her that throughout their relationship, Anderson had allegedly become more controlling and insecure over his wife. —Danielle Bacher, Peoplemag, 5 Apr. 2024

That an insecure platform would be used to discuss military operations in Ukraine betrays a sense of naivete by the Germans, Ledwidge said. —Yuliya Talmazan, NBC News, 4 Mar. 2024

These insecure attachment styles can lead to love addiction by seeking intense relationships to fulfill emotional needs, resulting in unhealthy behavior and emotional distress. —Mark Travers, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024

Alexander Matveev, 37, told CNN that Russians feel insecure and worried that another attack could take place. —Christian Edwards, CNN, 25 Mar. 2024

Many of the bits center on race and/or stereotypes, like the one about two enslaved men who are insecure when nobody wants to bid on them at an auction, or the iconic substitute teacher sketch, or the skit that asks an age-old question: Is this country song racist? —Kevin Jacobsen and Hope Lasater, EW.com, 21 Mar. 2024

So…yeah, maybe Blackwell had a reason to be insecure, especially toward the end of their relationship. —Sam Reed, Glamour, 19 Mar. 2024

Maria has been caught up in a dispute with some of the other contestants for weeks now that started when Sydney took issue with her response to Madina’s confession about feeling insecure about her age. —Julia Moore, Peoplemag, 20 Feb. 2024

Additionally, a study found that individuals with insecure attachment may devalue their negative emotions, leading to a dismissal of their own dissatisfaction with the relationship. —Mark Travers, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin insecurus, from Latin in- + securus secure

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing insecure

• food insecure

Kids Definition

insecure

adjective

in·​se·​cure ˌin(t)-si-ˈkyu̇(ə)r 

1

: not confident or sure : uncertain

felt insecure about their response

2

: not well protected : not safe

insecure property

3

: not firmly fastened : loose

an insecure hinge

4

: lacking self-assurance

insecure people

insecurely adverb

insecurity

-ˈkyu̇r-ət-ē 

noun

Medical Definition

insecure

adjective

in·​se·​cure ˌin(t)-si-ˈkyu̇(ə)r 

: characterized by or causing emotional insecurity

an insecure childhood

Legal Definition

insecure

adjective

in·​se·​cure

: having a good faith belief that the prospect of receiving payment or performance from a party with whom one has contracted is impaired

insecurity noun