insecurity

[in-si-kyoor-i-tee]

noun

plural

insecurities 

1. lack of confidence or assurance; self-doubt.

   He is plagued by insecurity.

2. the quality or state of being insecure; instability.

   the insecurity of her financial position.

   Synonyms: vulnerability, shakiness, precariousness

3. something insecure.

   the many insecurities of life.

Word History and Origins

Origin of insecurity¹

First recorded in 1640–50; from Medieval Latin insēcūritās; insecure, -ity

Example Sentences

The Colorado-set season introduced viewers to Patrick Suzuki, a project manager who came into the experiment open about his insecurities in the dating circuit as an Asian American man.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Groups of young people, mainly under 30 years of age, were joined by bus and taxi drivers and marched towards Congress to express their anger over corruption scandals and growing insecurity.

Read more on BBC

Essay Topic: An obsessive need to demean and diminish others is explained by some behavioral therapists as a sign of insecurity, weakness, or an unhappy childhood.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Hunger was climbing even before these changes — food insecurity ticked up in 2022 and again in 2023, according to the USDA’s own reports.

Read more on Salon

On Tuesday, Mr Zodi questioned why civilians were still being exposed to such insecurity, and urged the government to prioritise the safety and dignity of citizens.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• self-doubt 
• uncertainty