insecure
5 synonyms and 3 antonyms for insecure, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Not confident about oneself; anxious or uncertain.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
unconfident
self-doubting
Antonyms
How to use insecure
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
feel insecure
insecure about
financially insecure
Etymology
Formed from in- ("not") plus secure.
Full origin of insecure →Frequently asked questions
What does “insecure” mean?
The word “insecure” means not confident about oneself; anxious or uncertain. In plain terms, lacking confidence, or lacking safety/stability, depending on context.
How do you pronounce “insecure”?
“Insecure” is pronounced ihn-suh-KYOOR (/ɪnsəˈkjʊɹ/ in IPA).
How do you use “insecure” in a sentence?
Here is “insecure” used in a sentence: “He felt insecure about his new job for the first few weeks.”
What is the opposite of “insecure”?
The opposite of “insecure” — its antonyms — are confident and self-confident.
What part of speech is “insecure”?
“Insecure” is an adjective.
Is “insecure” a common word?
“Insecure” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “insecure” have?
“Insecure” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: not confident about oneself; anxious or uncertain.
What is the difference between insecure about a person and an insecure system?
When describing a person, insecure means lacking confidence and feeling anxious or uncertain about oneself. When describing a system, object, or situation, insecure means not safe, stable, or well protected, such as an insecure network or an insecure ladder.
What is the opposite of insecure?</question>
The opposite of insecure is secure, meaning confident and self-assured when describing a person, or safe and well protected when describing a system or object.
How is insecure used in everyday conversation?
In everyday conversation, insecure most often describes emotional uncertainty, as in "she felt insecure about her new job," though it is also common in technology contexts, as in "an insecure password."
