insecure
synonym study for insecure
OTHER WORDS FROM insecure
in·se·cure·ly, adverbin·se·cure·ness, nounWords nearby insecure
MORE ABOUT INSECURE
What does insecure mean?
Insecure means subject to fears and doubt, as in Sally was such an insecure person that she didn’t believe she did anything well, even when she got A’s on her tests.
Insecure can also mean anxious or uneasy, as in Tom was insecure about his chances for a promotion, worrying about it so much that he couldn’t sleep at night.
Insecure can mean not secure, that is, exposed to danger or risk. A safe with a broken lock would be an insecure safe. Anyone could open the safe and take what was inside.
Lastly, insecure can refer to something that is not firmly placed or fastened, as with a fire escape that is not completely fastened to a building.
Example: The bankrobbers easily broke into the insecure vault and escaped with all of the money.
Where does insecure come from?
The first records of the word insecure come from around 1640. It comes from the Medieval Latin word insēcūrus, which combines the negative prefix in- and the word secure, meaning “safe.”
When we’re talking about objects, we use insecure to mean the object lacks security (like your bank account) or is unstable (as in a ladder). Insecure, like the word uncertain, is used to describe something as risky or unpredictable. The word insecure often implies that the thing is likely to fail or come to harm.
When we use the word insecure to describe people, we often mean people who lack self-confidence or who need validation. Interestingly, some mental health experts argue that social media has made many more people feel insecure because of the amount of criticism they receive online or because they are constantly comparing themselves to others.
Did you know … ?
What are some other forms related to insecure?
- insecurely (adverb)
- insecureness (noun)
- insecurity (noun)
What are some synonyms for insecure?
What are some words that share a root or word element with insecure?
What are some words that often get used in discussing insecure?
How is insecure used in real life?
Insecure is a common word. Social media often makes people feel extremely insecure.
i can’t believe girls stay with boyfriends who make them feel insecure, he’s supposed to be your #1 fan or he’s weird
— Michelle Caroline (@michcarolinelo) October 30, 2020
An insecure person always looks for a fight. When there’s no one left to fight, they fight themselves.
— Jay Jordan (@misterjayjordan) October 26, 2020
Ahhh yes, another night of me feeling insecure and feeling like I am not good enough
— marty mcfly williams (@talisaxrose) October 28, 2020
Try using insecure!
Which of the following words would NOT be a synonym of insecure?
A. apprehensive
B. unsure
C. confident
D. anxious