insecurity
noun
in·se·cu·ri·ty
ˌin-si-ˈkyu̇r-ə-tē 
plural insecurities
: the quality or state of being insecure: such as
a
: a state or feeling of anxiety, fear, or self-doubt
troubled by (feelings of) insecurity
Deep down he knows his swagger is just insecurity masquerading as confidence.—
Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly… the questions we don't dare ask reflect our deepest insecurities about relationships.—J. D. Heiman
J. D. HeimanThey rarely have a confidante with whom they can compare notes, share crushes, and discuss insecurities.—Kristen Golden
Kristen Golden
b
: lack of dependability or certainty
job insecurity
financial insecurity
the insecurity of their future
often, specifically
: lack of a reliable means of meeting one's basic needs
families who are experiencing housing insecurity
see also food insecurity
c
: lack of safety or protection
the insecurity of the investment
revealed the insecurities [=vulnerabilities] in their system
Examples of insecurity in a Sentence
the insecurity of the bookcase made it dangerous for a household with small children who like to climb
Recent Examples on the Web
Speaking after the rally, Shuler pointed to the mass layoffs of government workers, as well as the struggles among many workers, including the rising cost of living, healthcare costs, retirement insecurity and more.
—Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 21 Aug. 2025
Some workplaces weaponize this financial dependency by reminding employees of job insecurity or exploiting workers in the name of efficiency.
—Danielle Chemtob, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025
Health-care costs — Obamacare notwithstanding — are still a principal cause of financial insecurity.
—Clive Crook, Twin Cities, 21 Aug. 2025
An emboldened Russia could create a pervasive sense of insecurity from Armenia to Georgia to Kazakhstan to Moldova to the Baltic states.
—Galip Dalay, Time, 19 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for insecurity
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Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 21 Aug. 2025
Some workplaces weaponize this financial dependency by reminding employees of job insecurity or exploiting workers in the name of efficiency.
—Danielle Chemtob, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025
Health-care costs — Obamacare notwithstanding — are still a principal cause of financial insecurity.
—Clive Crook, Twin Cities, 21 Aug. 2025
An emboldened Russia could create a pervasive sense of insecurity from Armenia to Georgia to Kazakhstan to Moldova to the Baltic states.
—Galip Dalay, Time, 19 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for insecurity
Cite this Entry
“Insecurity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/insecurity. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
insecurity
noun
in·se·cu·ri·ty
-ˈkyu̇r-ət-ē
plural insecurities
: a feeling of apprehensiveness and uncertainty : lack of assurance or stability
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