insecure
adjective
in·se·cure
ˌin-si-ˈkyu̇r 
1
a
: deficient in assurance : beset by fear and anxiety
always felt insecure in a group of strangers
b
: not highly stable or well-adjusted
an insecure marriage
2
: not confident or sure : uncertain
feeling somewhat insecure of his reception
3
: not adequately guarded or sustained : unsafe
an insecure investment
4
: not firmly fastened or fixed : shaky
the hinge is loose and insecure
5
: unable to reliably afford or access what is needed to meet one's basic needs
families that are housing insecure [=that are at risk of losing their housing]
see also food insecure
insecurely
adverb
insecureness
noun
Word Icons
Synonyms
Examples of insecure in a Sentence
I feel shy and insecure around strangers.
One of the building's rear doors was insecure.
The country's borders remain insecure.
Recent Examples on the Web
And speaking of threats, Genevieve admits to feeling insecure without her Shot in the Dark.
—
Nick Caruso, TVLine, 20 Nov. 2024
This is a reach, because Keith doesn’t come off as insecure, merely as a normal person who wants to avoid messiness and was never that into Danni.
—Emma Soren, Vulture, 19 Nov. 2024
One thing is for sure: the end of a reliance upon insecure passwords is coming and coming sooner than many might expect., thanks to AI.
—Davey Winder, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
These networks are notoriously insecure and are prime hunting grounds for cyber criminals.
—Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 26 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for insecure 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Nick Caruso, TVLine, 20 Nov. 2024
This is a reach, because Keith doesn’t come off as insecure, merely as a normal person who wants to avoid messiness and was never that into Danni.
—Emma Soren, Vulture, 19 Nov. 2024
One thing is for sure: the end of a reliance upon insecure passwords is coming and coming sooner than many might expect., thanks to AI.
—Davey Winder, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
These networks are notoriously insecure and are prime hunting grounds for cyber criminals.
—Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 26 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for insecure
Dictionary Entries Near insecure
Cite this Entry
“Insecure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/insecure. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
insecure
adjective
in·se·cure
ˌin(t)-si-ˈkyu̇(ə)r
1
: not confident or sure : uncertain
felt insecure about their response
2
: not well protected : not safe
insecure property
3
: not firmly fastened : loose
an insecure hinge
4
: lacking self-assurance
insecure people
insecurely
adverb
Medical Definition
insecure
adjective
in·se·cure
ˌin(t)-si-ˈkyu̇(ə)r
: characterized by or causing emotional insecurity
an insecure childhood
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share