ensure

verb

in-ˈshu̇r How to pronounce ensure (audio)
Definition of ensurenext
as in to assure
to make sure, certain, or safe regulations that ensure the wholesomeness of our food

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word ensure distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of ensure are assure, insure, and secure. While all these words mean "to make a thing or person sure," ensure, insure, and assure are interchangeable in many contexts where they indicate the making certain or inevitable of an outcome, but ensure may imply a virtual guarantee.

the government has ensured the safety of the refugees

Where would assure be a reasonable alternative to ensure?

The meanings of assure and ensure largely overlap; however, assure distinctively implies the removal of doubt and suspense from a person's mind.

I assure you that no harm will be done

When could insure be used to replace ensure?

Although the words insure and ensure have much in common, insure sometimes stresses the taking of necessary measures beforehand.

careful planning should insure the success of the party

When is secure a more appropriate choice than ensure?

The words secure and ensure can be used in similar contexts, but secure implies action taken to guard against attack or loss.

sent reinforcements to secure their position

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of ensure To ensure the pork chops cook evenly, bring them to room temperature before cooking (as instructed below). —Robin Miller, AZCentral.com, 19 Mar. 2026 Reed suggests using a medium-tooth comb to ensure that the product is distributed evenly. —Dominic Cadogan, Glamour, 19 Mar. 2026 Hegseth noted the funding would likely be used to ensure the military had more than enough munitions. —Jake Angelo, Fortune, 19 Mar. 2026 With attacks on gas and oil facilities across the Middle East sending energy prices soaring, a key to restoring global oil supplies is ensuring the Strait of Hormuz is safe for tanker traffic. —David Gura, Bloomberg, 19 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ensure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ensure
  1. assure
  2. guarantee
Verb
  • By narrowing the ban to just polystyrene and allowing customers to ask for plastic straws and utensils, Bumgardner said he’d been assured groups such as the Connecticut Business and Industry Association would not actively oppose the effort.
    — John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 15 Mar. 2026
  • Washington coach Brian Keefe seemed fine with Adebayo scoring big to assure the Heat won the game right to the point his team was on the embarrassing side of history.
    — Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 14 Mar. 2026
Definition of assure
Verb
  • The primary winner is all but guaranteed the seat in the heavily Democratic district that stretches along the lakefront on the South Side and includes suburbs like Harvey, Dolton and Pontiac.
    — Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
  • Yet a ship that broadcasts its Chinese affiliation does not always guarantee a safe passage.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 18 Mar. 2026
Definition of guarantee

Browse Nearby Words

ensuing
ensure
ensured
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Cite this Entry

“Ensure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ensure. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on ensure

Nglish: Translation of ensure for Spanish Speakers

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