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 The cheater is just as insecure, if not more, than the person who’s scared to get cheated on. — Los Angeles Times, 22 July 2026 Food-insecure patients show up more often, stay longer, and return sooner. — Cole Hanson, STAT, 16 July 2026 YouTube comedian Bo Burnham directs this empathetic portrait of Kayla (Elsie Fisher), an insecure adolescent who posts motivational vlogs on YouTube while privately struggling with her self-image and burgeoning sexuality. — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 15 July 2026 But for Earle, who has felt insecure about her skin since middle school, Reale Actives was a natural evolution of her content. — Eliana Dockterman, Time, 14 July 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
  • Skubal had a minimally invasive surgery on May 6 to remove a loose body from his pitching elbow and returned to pitch on June 13.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Miriam wore a navy-blue task jacket to ward off the loose chill of the morning.
    — Rachel Yoder, New Yorker, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of loose
Adjective
  • But Russian ballistic missiles appear to be the threat that has Ukrainian’s leadership most worried.
    — Nathan Hodge, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
  • As students head back to school across Georgia, some parents are worried about more than academics.
    — Brian Unger, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of worried
Adjective
  • Hence shirt jackets and safari jackets in linen and leather came to the fore, as did denim Bermudas, linen polos and lots of lifestyle knits amid its more formal, full-canvas tailoring — styled with a loosened tie.
    — Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 22 June 2026
  • For now, though, Detroit’s automakers are leaning into the lucre that comes from selling millions of fossil-fuel vehicles in a rare moment of loosened regulation.
    — Bloomberg, Oc Register, 24 Feb. 2026
Definition of loosened
Adjective
  • Because people are nervous that Tesla’s robotaxi is going to completely take over the autonomous-vehicle market and mobility overall.
    — Fortune Editors, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2026
  • For anyone nervous about bringing up price, Bascombe says preparation is the best confidence booster.
    — Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of nervous
Adjective
  • While medical providers sometimes negotiate directly with patients before accounts reach collections, debt relief may become more useful if other unsecured debts are also creating financial hardship.
    — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 30 July 2026
  • He was arrested Wednesday, charged with misdemeanor accessing computers, and released on an unsecured bond.
    — Julia Coin Updated July 30, Charlotte Observer, 30 July 2026
Definition of unsecured
Adjective
  • The advice comes as pet parents become increasingly anxious about leaving their furry family members behind.
    — Brittany Anas, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • All available polling data indicates that the public mood in Russia is growing more uncertain and anxious.
    — Alexander Gabuev, Foreign Affairs, 31 July 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
  • The Braves opted against parting with their most valuable prospects at the trade deadline, a decision that’s upset part of the fanbase and many around the organization but will require time to judge.
    — Gabriel Burns, AJC.com, 6 Aug. 2026
  • It’s considered the biggest upset in the history of the tournament.
    — PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of upset

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Cite this Entry

“Insecure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insecure. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of insecure for Spanish Speakers

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