insecurity

American  

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

noun

• insecurities
  plural

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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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• insecurities
  plural

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.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

insecurity insecurities

On the one hand, the high rates may be the result of temporary supply-chain frictions and energy insecurity.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 15, 2026

Countries must rapidly increase investments in infrastructure against intensifying floods, droughts and food insecurity.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 11, 2026

According to the UN, more than 19.5 million people are also experiencing "crisis levels" of food insecurity and more than five million are facing "emergency levels of hunger".

From BBC ● Sep. 8, 2026

Nigeria is trying to increase oil production after years of problems caused by theft, insecurity and underinvestment.

From BBC ● Sep. 4, 2026

But if insecurity was the primal source of Hamilton’s incredible energy, one would have to conclude that providence had conspired to produce at the most opportune moment perhaps the most creative liability in American history.

From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis

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

But Judith’s insecurities add complexity to a protagonist who commands our attention through every twist of this novel’s labyrinthine plot.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 13, 2026

It wasn't until she confessed her insecurities online that she discovered a following of fellow introverts who identified with her struggles.

From BBC ● Aug. 1, 2026

And though in terms of her work Justice is now one of Pikeville’s leading citizens, she is still troubled by the old doubts and insecurities.

From "Class Matters" by The New York Times

Related Words

• self-doubt
• uncertainty