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insecure

adjective

ˌin-si-ˈkyu̇r How to pronounce insecure (audio)
Definition of insecurenext
1
as in loose
not tightly fastened, tied, or stretched insecure twine allowed the bundle of newspapers to break open as soon as it was tossed to the ground

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in worried
feeling or showing uncomfortable feelings of uncertainty I always feel insecure in those high-end highfalutin restaurants

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 insecure Your more shadowy tendencies are liable to pop out around this time, particularly the ones that stem from an insecure attachment style. — Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Aug. 2026 So, an insecure connected device can become useful to an attacker even when the attacker has little interest in its owner. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 28 Aug. 2026 In particular, devices that have continued to use default authentication or otherwise insecure authentication credentials are particularly vulnerable. — Steve Weisman, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026 And like the milkman, good-looking couriers delivering the coveted cooling relief became a source of jealousy for insecure husbands. — Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for insecure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insecure
  1. loose
  2. worried
  3. loosened
  4. nervous
  5. unsecured
  6. anxious
  7. slack
  8. upset
Adjective
  • The goal came after Furuhashi got loose on a breakaway up the middle of the pitch, only to be felled by New England’s Will Sands in the center of the box, leaving referee Drew Fischer with an easy penalty call.
    — Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • After Mi-ok’s recent weight loss, her wedding ring has become loose.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of loose
Adjective
  • Teams — worried about how a politically defiant Black quarterback on the roster would impact their bottom lines — over the next several seasons signed dozens of inferior quarterbacks to round out their depth charts.
    — Mike Jones, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Los Angeles’ identity and workers’ livelihoods are at stake, say worried residents who fear that Paramount will leave the state.
    — Kevinisha Walker, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of worried
Adjective
  • The loosened restrictions will not empower Washington to pursue investment and economic cooperation with al Sharaa’s government, which could transform the impoverished country.
    — Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Scrub the metal grid with a dish sponge or brush to remove loosened debris.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of loosened
Adjective
  • One grandmother initially didn’t understand what the couple was asking, while two were a little nervous about taking on a role traditionally given to children.
    — Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2026
  • But one area that has Chiefs fans a little nervous is the offensive line that will be tasked with keeping Mahomes upright.
    — Scott Chasen, Kansas City Star, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of nervous
Adjective
  • Additional wire was located in a shopping cart near an unsecured mall entrance.
    — Vince Basada, Sacbee.com, 5 Sep. 2026
  • The would-be assassin in Butler positioned himself on a roof left unsecured, nicking the president’s ear with a bullet.
    — Jesse Bedayn, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of unsecured
Adjective
  • That feels very much in tune with the anxious characters Eisenberg has played over the course of his acting career, but this whole directing thing is working out nicely for him, too.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Nelson remembers hushing her foster children back to sleep that night and calling 911, anxious for an end to those sleepless nights.
    — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of anxious
Adjective
  • Having replaced McGinn, Sancho was still settling into the game’s pace, but was markedly slack in possession.
    — Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2026
  • The worst transition is from a frictionless sprint into slack time or shallow administrative work.
    — Yaniv Golan, Forbes.com, 16 Mar. 2026
Definition of slack
Adjective
  • An upset win would not have redefined Miami as anything but a team taking necessary steps up from the foot of a mountain.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 14 Sep. 2026
  • First elected in 2020 in an upset race, Raman is running close to Bass in the Mayoral polls, and has seen an uptick as the campaign has kicked into post-summer high-gear.
    — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of upset

Browse Nearby Words

insects
insecure
insecurity
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Cite this Entry

“Insecure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insecure. Accessed 17 Sep. 2026.

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Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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