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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

Example 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
Republicans will need to secure votes from Democrats to pass a spending measure. Nino Paoli, Fortune, 14 Sep. 2025 Ukraine has been submitting films for the international feature category since 1997 but has yet to secure a nomination. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
If the sky turns ominous and thunder can be heard, find a secure place for shelter. Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 12 Sep. 2025 Remember to stay informed about weather conditions and heed guidance from local authorities for a secure journey. Bay Area Weather Report, Mercury News, 12 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for secure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for secure
Verb
  • With his back against the wall, Tony must draw on his tactical training to protect his family and survive a deadly showdown with a powerful crime syndicate.
    Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Some Cosmists saw technology as destructive and transformative, while others believed its role should be to protect and preserve.
    Tim Brinkhof, Big Think, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • At the same time, the industry is embracing artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics to manage tariff risks, optimize logistics costs, and ensure pricing compliance across complex regulatory environments.
    Nish Acharya, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025
  • All of this means that, as Powell conceded at the annual Jackson Hole summit, the Fed’s dual mandate of ensuring price stability and maximizing employment may be skewing toward prioritizing jobs for the first time in half a decade.
    Tiana Lowe Doescher, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • This roster is held together like wet cardboard fastened by cellophane tape.
    Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Stay in your vehicle with your seatbelt fastened and wait for the storm to pass.
    Staff reports, AZCentral.com, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The Razorbacks won the toss and will receive.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 14 Sep. 2025
  • The founders of Ssense have won round one in their battle with their creditors, allowing the company to remain in the hands of chief executive officer Rami Atallah and his brothers Firas and Bassel, who are fighting to remain in business and restructure the company’s operations.
    Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Republican strategist Michael Biundo was among many to observe how confident Kirk was from the jump, how undaunted by being new to the scene and often the youngest person in the mix.
    Eric Cortellessa, Time, 11 Sep. 2025
  • It was created with the intention of promoting AI fluency and a future-ready, AI-confident workforce.
    Malana VanTyler, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Financial reports, client data, or confidential business information can be uploaded in ways that sidestep official security and AI policies, often neutralizing safeguards intended to keep information safe.
    Bernard Marr, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
  • New technology can solve crimes faster, safer, and less expensively than ever before.
    Jennifer Jolly, USA Today, 14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • And especially with the other unknowns in the starting rotation, a reliable King changes the dynamic of how the Padres can navigate a postseason series.
    Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Backed by Uniper, ABB, OKG, and the Royal Institute of Technology, Blykalla is poised to deliver Europe’s first advanced SMR for reliable, sustainable energy in AI and clean industries.
    Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Tesla spent years defending, ultimately successfully, its 2016 acquisition of Solar City, Musk’s struggling clean-energy company.
    Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Acosta defended the deal with Epstein in a news conference four days after the multi-millionaire's arrest.
    James Hill, ABC News, 15 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Secure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/secure. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

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