insecurity
Americannoun
-
insecurities
plural
-
lack of confidence or assurance; self-doubt.
He is plagued by insecurity.
-
the quality or state of being insecure; instability.
the insecurity of her financial position.
- Synonyms:
- vulnerability, shakiness, precariousness
-
something insecure.
the many insecurities of life.
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of insecurity
First recorded in 1640–50; from Medieval Latin insēcūritās; see origin at insecure, -ity
Explanation
Insecurity is a feeling of uncertainty, a lack of confidence or anxiety about yourself. Put aside your insecurities and start acting like the smart, capable person you are! Insecurity is the word for what you are probably feeling when you walk into the cafeteria on your first day at a new school and everyone else already has someone to sit with. But soon you will make friends and forget about your insecurities. It can also describe the state of being open to danger or threat. The economy may have you worried about job insecurity. Or maybe it's the insecurity of a rocky relationship that keeps you up at night.
Vocabulary lists containing insecurity
Workshop 2, Part 2
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Content Summary 1.1: Human Adaptation and Migration in the Paleolithic World
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The Red Umbrella
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
She pointed to growing public exposure, financial insecurity and inadequate support systems as possible contributing factors.
From BBC ● Oct. 12, 2026
"Poverty, insecurity and the growing impacts of climate change drive many to undertake this journey, despite mounting instability across the Middle East," the IOM said.
From Barron's ● Oct. 11, 2026
Among the barriers Buelna cited were the high cost of housing, food insecurity and child care.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026
Yet many said they plan to leave, worried that insecurity and economic pressures will build without a strong U.S. presence.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 30, 2026
Even inside the palace, servants, though relatively comfortable, led lives of terrifying insecurity.
From "Tiger, Tiger" by Lynne Reid Banks
But the 35-year-old actor recalls witnessing the stress and insecurities experienced by friends over who had the most followers, or who followed who on social media.
From Barron's ● Oct. 7, 2026
Riffing on the human need for emotional engagement through the arts with such venom is not just a slap in the face; it’s evidence of Iñárritu’s gnawing insecurities.
From Salon ● Oct. 5, 2026
But in “I Disagree,” she goes beyond her impressive resume to reveal her insecurities — unusual in the ego driven TV news business — and tells readers how she’s tried to resolve them.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 14, 2026
After she began modeling, she quickly developed body insecurities, she said.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 2, 2026
That he was the one who created all of these lies, all of the fears and the insecurities.
From "Like Vanessa" by Tami Charles
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
