insecurity
noun
in·se·cu·ri·ty
ˌin-si-ˈkyu̇r-ə-tē 
plural insecurities
: the quality or state of being insecure: such as
a
: a state or feeling of anxiety, fear, or self-doubt
troubled by (feelings of) insecurity
Deep down he knows his swagger is just insecurity masquerading as confidence.—
Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly… the questions we don't dare ask reflect our deepest insecurities about relationships.—J. D. Heiman
J. D. HeimanThey rarely have a confidante with whom they can compare notes, share crushes, and discuss insecurities.—Kristen Golden
Kristen Golden
b
: lack of dependability or certainty
job insecurity
financial insecurity
the insecurity of their future
often, specifically
: lack of a reliable means of meeting one's basic needs
families who are experiencing housing insecurity
see also food insecurity
c
: lack of safety or protection
the insecurity of the investment
revealed the insecurities [=vulnerabilities] in their system
Synonyms
Examples of insecurity in a Sentence
the insecurity of the bookcase made it dangerous for a household with small children who like to climb
Recent Examples on the Web
While opposed by every government in the region, ISIS-K has exploited insecurity and international rivalries to entrench itself as one of the world's deadliest and most unpredictable non-state actors in the wake of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 19 Jan. 2025
External validation relies on the approval or acceptance of others to affirm our worth, which can lead to a cycle of dependency and insecurity.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025
During the pandemic, the soaring cost of essentials like food, fuel and rent only deepened the country's widespread precarity — a gnawing sense of financial insecurity that has left tens of millions of Americans vulnerable to job losses, medical problems and even modest economic dips.
—Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 17 Jan. 2025
Energy insecurity has been one of the major themes undermining the continent's response to Russia's war.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 13 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for insecurity 
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David Faris, Newsweek, 19 Jan. 2025
External validation relies on the approval or acceptance of others to affirm our worth, which can lead to a cycle of dependency and insecurity.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025
During the pandemic, the soaring cost of essentials like food, fuel and rent only deepened the country's widespread precarity — a gnawing sense of financial insecurity that has left tens of millions of Americans vulnerable to job losses, medical problems and even modest economic dips.
—Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 17 Jan. 2025
Energy insecurity has been one of the major themes undermining the continent's response to Russia's war.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 13 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for insecurity
Dictionary Entries Near insecurity
Cite this Entry
“Insecurity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/insecurity. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
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insecurity
noun
in·se·cu·ri·ty
-ˈkyu̇r-ət-ē
plural insecurities
: a feeling of apprehensiveness and uncertainty : lack of assurance or stability
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