insecure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "insecure" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a lack of confidence or assurance in oneself or a situation. Example: "She felt insecure about her presentation skills before the big meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Opinion

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The calm sea, the sky without a cloud, now seem, as Conrad put it, "formidably insecure".The cause of the insecurity is that Mr Blair cannot be sure what the collision meant.

The Economist

Mike Rogers of Michigan, who also chairs the intelligence committee, criticised a decision to add new software improvements to the website while it was still running, or "hot-swapping code", which he said exposed users to the potentially insecure updates.

The Guardian

Jan Tilley, a final-year English student at the University of Leeds, struggled with excessive hair and acne due to the condition, and found that the visible signs disrupted her day-to-day life: "I felt insecure when I first found out, and it affected my confidence.

The Guardian

"This will enable the aggregation of data across and within industries and will be invaluable to employers to assist them understand the characteristics of their workforce, including occupational segregation, the position of women and men in management and patterns of potentially insecure employment," the WGEA says on its website.

The Guardian

"If you're a vulnerable, insecure, young person – who has no emotional resilience and you're suddenly one of 240 in year 7, that's tough".

The Guardian

By the middle of the century as much as half the planet could be "water insecure"; letting cows and sheep drink what's left will seem obscene.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But some US experts – including Harvard's Larry Summers, a former US treasury secretary – have warned that America will struggle to achieve a robust, sustainable recovery because the prevalence of insecure, low-wage jobs means that consumer demand will continue to be weak: a theory known as "secular stagnation".

The Guardian - Business

His ambition was to be a barman and he trained in silver service, but he was soon laid off from his first job and joined the ranks of Britain's burgeoning hire-and-fire, temporary workforce with its insecure terms and conditions.

The Guardian - Opinion

Sir Tony Brenton, Britain's former ambassador to Moscow, said the boom in pro-Kremlin propaganda in Europe reflected the insecure mindset of the Russian government.

The Guardian

On the comedy panel, it was revealed that, for the English, the top three most characteristic comedy characters – Del Boy, Basil Fawlty and Hyacinth Bucket – are either socially insecure or bad at their job, or both.

The Guardian - Opinion

At a human level O'Grady believes it has led to an increase in low-paid, insecure or part-time jobs, zero-hours contracts and a worsening of terms and conditions.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In technical contexts, "insecure" can refer to systems or environments lacking sufficient protection against threats; for example, "an "insecure" network connection".

Common error

Avoid using "insecure" when you mean "unsure". "Insecure" implies a lack of confidence or safety, while "unsure" simply means lacking certainty. For example, say "I am unsure about the details", not "I am "insecure" about the details".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "insecure" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe a state of lacking safety, stability, or confidence. As Ludwig AI points out, it accurately reflects a condition of being vulnerable or uncertain.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Opinion

15%

Business

10%

Less common in

Lifestyle

5%

TV & Radio

3%

Sport

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "insecure" functions as an adjective signifying a lack of safety, stability, or confidence. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts. It's crucial to differentiate it from "unsure", which denotes uncertainty rather than a lack of safety or confidence. The phrase sees frequent use in News & Media, Opinion pieces, and Business contexts, reflecting its relevance in discussing both personal emotions and systemic vulnerabilities. Ludwig examples showcase its application across diverse scenarios, solidifying its versatility in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unconfident

Focuses specifically on a lack of self-assurance.

anxious

Implies worry and unease, often related to potential threats.

vulnerable

Highlights susceptibility to harm or attack.

unsafe

Emphasizes the absence of security or protection.

unprotected

Similar to "unsafe", but stresses the lack of safeguarding measures.

precarious

Suggests instability and a high risk of failure or collapse.

threatened

Highlights the perception of being at risk or endangered.

shaky

Indicates a lack of stability or reliability.

doubtful

Focuses on uncertainty and a lack of conviction.

apprehensive

Implies a feeling of anxiety or fear about the future.

FAQs

How can I use "insecure" in a sentence?

You can use "insecure" to describe a feeling of lacking confidence, such as "She felt "insecure" about her public speaking skills", or to describe a system lacking protection, such as "The network is "insecure" and vulnerable to attacks".

What are some synonyms for "insecure"?

Alternatives to "insecure" include "unconfident", "anxious", or "vulnerable", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say someone is "insecure" or "unsecure"?

"Insecure" is the more common and grammatically correct term to describe someone lacking confidence or something lacking protection. "Unsecure" is less frequently used, and "insecure" is preferred.

What's the difference between "insecure" and "unstable"?

"Insecure" implies a lack of confidence or safety, while "unstable" suggests a tendency to change or fail. A relationship might be "insecure" if one partner lacks trust, while a government might be "unstable" if it faces frequent challenges to its authority.