insecurity

American  

[in-si-kyoor-i-tee] / ˌɪn sɪˈkyʊər ɪ ti /

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.

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Etymology

Origin of insecurity

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

Example Sentences

I didn’t realize it at the time, but there was also insecurity there: An American embarrassed by a rough, unsophisticated America, envious of Europe’s aristocratic polish.

From The Wall Street Journal

In the greater Washington area, some 36 percent of households experienced food insecurity in the past year, according to the Capital Area Food Bank.

From Barron's

“The U.S. needs Colombia if we are going to be serious about fighting crime and insecurity in the hemisphere,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal

At the same time, people from later U.S. birth cohorts have built less wealth and face greater financial insecurity than earlier generations.

From Science Daily

Instead it has sought closer ties with Russia - and Russian mercenaries have been brought in to deal with the insecurity affecting several countries in the vast Sahel region.

From BBC

Related Words

• self-doubt
• uncertainty