insecurity

[ in-si-kyoor-i-tee ]

noun

, plural in·se·cu·ri·ties.

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of insecurity¹

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

Example Sentences

Home is the place where we lay our heads, our hearts, our insecurities, our fears, our aspirations, and our dreams.

From Essence.com

The pandemic has seen soaring home prices and record housing insecurity.

From Vox

Whether we are a little early on him, I mean, that would be the insecurity on my part.

From Washington Post

While the positive variety is wonderful, the negative one is often associated with anxiety, insecurity, and depression.

From Outside Online

Given the number of families that have lost jobs or income due to the pandemic, we’re going to see an increase in children who have experienced deprivation, insecurity and traumatic stress.

From Science News

In reality,” Francis said, “theatrical severity and sterile pessimism are often symptoms of fear and insecurity.

From The Daily Beast

For the first time since that peak of confusion, insecurity, and uncertainty called middle school, I felt truly alone.

From The Daily Beast

His judgments are not rash or driven by insecurity, fear, and a longing for the past.

From The Daily Beast

Why the low pay and job insecurity that come with “emotional work” is creating a nation full of phonies.

From The Daily Beast

“They are motivated by insecurity, fear, lack of imagination and above all, a lack of flair,” he said.

From The Daily Beast

This feeling of insecurity renders the child more susceptible to influences leading to delinquency.

From Project Gutenberg

If he tries to walk in the dark, he is almost sure to have so great a sense of insecurity that he dare not go far from the wall.

From Project Gutenberg

The place was quickly retaken, but the effrontery of the attempt from a neutral port showed the insecurity of the conditions.

From Project Gutenberg

He could say to himself that it was only an impression; that he was a fool to labor under that sense of insecurity.

From Project Gutenberg

The interview had left him with a sense of insecurity which he felt to be particularly unfair.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• self-doubt
• uncertainty