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
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
The lovers face many obstacles in life, from poverty to prejudice to their own insecurities and disappointments.
—Joan MacDonald, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
People hiding their insecurities behind fake smiles and hugs, trying to knock me for simply being me.
—Russel Honoré, Newsweek, 6 Mar. 2025
Lack of specificity in contracts could lead to cascading problems such as insufficient locked storage space, which could dissuade unsheltered people from accepting shelter, discourage those in the shelter from leaving to seek work and exacerbate the insecurity of those with hoarding tendencies.
—Doug Smith, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2025
Photographed on deeply textured 16mm, Lesson Learned is refreshingly frank about how kids act amongst themselves, the way teachers wield power (emotional and physical) to mask their insecurities, and what happens when clueless parents are brought into the fold.
—Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for insecurity
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Joan MacDonald, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
People hiding their insecurities behind fake smiles and hugs, trying to knock me for simply being me.
—Russel Honoré, Newsweek, 6 Mar. 2025
Lack of specificity in contracts could lead to cascading problems such as insufficient locked storage space, which could dissuade unsheltered people from accepting shelter, discourage those in the shelter from leaving to seek work and exacerbate the insecurity of those with hoarding tendencies.
—Doug Smith, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2025
Photographed on deeply textured 16mm, Lesson Learned is refreshingly frank about how kids act amongst themselves, the way teachers wield power (emotional and physical) to mask their insecurities, and what happens when clueless parents are brought into the fold.
—Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for insecurity
Cite this Entry
“Insecurity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/insecurity. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
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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