insecure

[ in-si-kyoor ]

adjective

1. subject to fears, doubts, etc.; not self-confident or assured:

   an insecure person.

2. not confident or certain; uneasy; anxious:

   He was insecure about the examination.

3. not secure; exposed or liable to risk, loss, or danger:

   an insecure stock portfolio.

   Synonyms: risky

4. not firmly or reliably placed or fastened:

   an insecure ladder.

insecure

/ ˌɪnsɪˈkjʊə /

adjective

1. anxious or afraid; not confident or certain
2. not adequately protected

   an insecure fortress

3. unstable or shaky

Derived Forms

• ˌinseˈcurity, noun
• ˌinseˈcurely, adverb
• ˌinseˈcureness, noun

Other Words From

• inse·curely adverb
• inse·cureness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of insecure¹

From the Medieval Latin word insēcūrus, dating back to 1640–50. See in- ³, secure

Synonym Study

See uncertain.

Example Sentences

Payroll jobs have become insecure gigs; pensions have been eliminated by most employers.

From Salon

The artist grew up to be rebellious and insecure in equal measure, and was prone to defensive behavior.

From New York Times

Instead, they’re filled with irritation at being told that embracing any traditional notions of masculinity and femininity marks them as insecure, infuriated misogynists.

From Salon

The desire to “screw” one’s enemies, a hallmark of the insecure leader, is the impulse that brought down Richard Nixon.

From Los Angeles Times

Not only is the future of US military aid now insecure, there’s a question mark too over Ukraine’s second largest donor, Germany.

From BBC

Related Words

• afraid
• anxious
• apprehensive
• hesitant
• shaky
• touchy
• troubled
• unsure
• uptight

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?

• anxious
• apprehensive
• unsure
• unstable
• wobbly

What are some words that share a root or word element with insecure? 

• secure

What are some words that often get used in discussing insecure?

• anxiety
• doubt
• security
• data
• person

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