insure

ensure, insure, assure, secure mean to make a thing or person sure. 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

, while insure sometimes stresses the taking of necessary measures beforehand

• • careful planning should insure the success of the party

, and assure distinctively implies the removal of doubt and suspense from a person's mind.

• • I assure you that no harm will be done

secure implies action taken to guard against attack or loss.

• • sent reinforcements to secure their position