as in to ensure
to make sure, certain, or safe took steps to insure the timely completion of the project

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word insure distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of insure are assure, ensure, and secure. While all these words mean "to make a thing or person sure," insure sometimes stresses the taking of necessary measures beforehand.

careful planning should insure the success of the party

When can assure be used instead of insure?

In some situations, the words assure and insure are roughly equivalent. However, assure distinctively implies the removal of doubt and suspense from a person's mind.

I assure you that no harm will be done

How is ensure related to other words for insure?

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 secure a more appropriate choice than insure?

The words secure and insure can be used in similar contexts, but secure implies action taken to guard against attack or loss.

sent reinforcements to secure their position

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 insure This, in turn, is increasing the risk faced by carriers insuring properties across the country and leading them to either increase premiums or leave the most vulnerable areas. Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025 They aren’t insured by the FDIC but may be protected by the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC), up to $500,000. Michelle Fox, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2025 Absent a universal measure to insure private risk-takers, the long-term consequences are dangerous. Ugo Troiano, Oc Register, 25 Oct. 2025 Porter was monitoring the concentration to insure that the scene didn’t turn unnecessarily deadly. Katie Thornton, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for insure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insure
Verb
  • The Arkansas Insurance Department's primary mission is to protect consumers and ensure the financial stability of insurers, according to the release.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Nov. 2025
  • When that happens, the FAA slows traffic into some airports to ensure safe operations.
    Deputy News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • The shutdown was assured to continue into the next week.
    Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Vance said he was assured the 25-24 vote in the Israeli Knesset was purely symbolic.
    Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • For example, as part of its agreement with OpenAI, Nvidia has reportedly discussed guaranteeing loans the startup would use to build its own data centers—a move that could leave the chipmaker on the hook for billions in debt if OpenAI can’t repay.
    Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2025
  • That wasn't guaranteed at the beginning of this effort a few months ago.
    Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 5 Nov. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Insure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insure. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on insure

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!