full of insecurity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "full of insecurity" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who has a lot of doubts or lacks confidence in themselves or their abilities. Example: "Despite her many accomplishments, she often feels full of insecurity when presenting her ideas to others."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Her journals are full of insecurity and, at times, anguish.

The New Yorker

Darby, who was gay and worshiped Bowie, was also full of insecurity, hate, shame, and the dream of wanting to be someone different.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"She is fiercely focussed and full of idealism and, like all of us, full of insecurities, too.

The New Yorker

They write songs that console the vulnerable, singing about unstable relationships that are full of insecurities, apologies, pleas, tears and forlorn hope.

The New York Times - Arts

I remember being in the airport at the beginning of my freshman year in college, Suitcase full of insecurities and doubts, With a pocket full of literary tricks up my sleeve, And a penchant for smiling my way through everything.

The New York Times

Nessa (Polly Lee) is a young doctor who, one hopes, makes better decisions in the operating room than she does in her personal life, which is full of insecurities and revolves around a married man.

The New York Times

Brent is dictatorial, smug, egotistic, brutally insensitive (despite priding himself on his sensitivity), fantastically unfunny (despite priding himself on his humour) and supremely uncool; he always thinks he's right, yet he's full of insecurities.

The Guardian

She is such a contrary character, full of insecurities and at odds with her life.

Huffington Post

Sheila is full of arrogance and insecurity, and a sense of weary belatedness: "I look at all the people who are alive today and think, These are my contemporaries.

The New Yorker

Happy-Go-Lucky triumphantly features a sweet-natured lead in a world full of anger and insecurity; here you get an inoffensive (but damaged) lead character surrounded by niceness.

The Guardian - Film

In this scenario, full of fear and insecurity, the woman with cancer can have questions about herself, her life, the others and her future, including questions about the causes of her illness ("Why did this happen to me?" 'What I did do to have cancer?", "What are the causes of the illness?") (Dumalao-Canaria et al. 2014; Thomson, et al., 2014).

Psicologia: Reflexão e Crítica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a character's internal state, consider using "full of insecurity" to convey vulnerability and a lack of self-assurance.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on "full of insecurity" to describe a character or situation; vary your vocabulary to create a more nuanced and engaging portrayal. Use "lacking in confidence" or "fraught with self-doubt" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "full of insecurity" functions primarily as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a noun to indicate that something or someone is characterized by a significant amount of insecurity. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "full of insecurity" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe someone or something characterized by a lack of confidence or an abundance of self-doubt. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English. It functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, and while suitable for various contexts, it is most prevalent in news and media. Remember to use it to accurately convey the presence of significant self-doubt. While the phrase is quite common, be mindful to vary your language to maintain a nuanced style, using alternatives like "lacking in confidence" or "beset by anxieties" where appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lacking in confidence

Directly states the absence of confidence.

marked by a lack of assurance

Emphasizes the absence of assurance as a defining trait.

fraught with self-doubt

Highlights the presence of self-doubt as a central component.

suffering from self-doubt

Implies a prolonged or chronic state of insecurity.

permeated with self-doubt

Suggests self-doubt is widespread and influential.

riddled with anxiety

Focuses more on the anxious feelings contributing to the insecurity.

beset by anxieties

Similar to 'riddled with anxiety' but conveys a sense of being attacked.

plagued by uncertainty

Emphasizes the uncertainty aspect of the insecurity.

burdened with worries

Focuses on the worries that result from insecurity.

characterized by apprehension

Highlights the apprehensive feelings associated with insecurity.

FAQs

How can I use "full of insecurity" in a sentence?

You can use "full of insecurity" to describe someone or something characterized by a lack of confidence or plagued by doubts. For instance, "Despite her achievements, she remained full of insecurity about her public speaking abilities."

What are some synonyms for "full of insecurity"?

Alternatives to "full of insecurity" include "lacking in confidence", "fraught with self-doubt", or "riddled with anxiety", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "full of insecurity"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase "full of insecurity" is a standard English construction that uses an adjective ("full") to modify a noun ("insecurity").

What is the difference between "full of insecurity" and "insecure"?

"Full of insecurity" emphasizes the abundance or pervasiveness of the insecurity, while "insecure" is a more general adjective describing someone who lacks confidence. "Full of insecurity" suggests the feeling is overwhelming.