How is the word insure distinct from other similar verbs?
Some common synonyms of insure are assure, ensure, and secure. While all these words mean "to make a thing or person sure," insure sometimes stresses the taking of necessary measures beforehand.
careful planning should insure the success of the party
When can assure be used instead of insure?
In some situations, the words assure and insure are roughly equivalent. However, assure distinctively implies the removal of doubt and suspense from a person's mind.
I assure you that no harm will be done
How is ensure related to other words for insure?
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
When is secure a more appropriate choice than insure?
The words secure and insure 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 insureThis time, Trump wants to insure that the power ministries are fully in his control.—Susan B. Glasser, The New Yorker, 20 Feb. 2025 And in both, the woman can only overcome that desire by indulging it, and doing so will insure her destruction and save everyone else.—Jim Shepard, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2025 That helps explain why more than a fifth of the structures hit by the Pacific Palisades fire were insured under FAIR.—Stephen Mihm, The Mercury News, 15 Feb. 2025 In addition to insuring depositors, the FDIC supervises banks for safety and consumer protection.—Jason Lalljee, Axios, 12 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for insure
Even with some ambient light, the picture quality is great, and the autofocus ensures a sharp image every time.
—
Shubham Yewale,
PCMAG,
5 Mar. 2025
When that happens, the Clean Water Act requires the permitting agency to adjust its permit requirements to ensure that water quality standards are met.
—
Robin Kundis Craig,
The Conversation,
5 Mar. 2025
Now a split of their final two regular-season games – at UNLV on Tuesday, home against Nevada next Saturday – should be enough to assure a relaxed Selection Sunday.
—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
1 Mar. 2025
Though there's usually no pressing need for physical gold deliveries, investors need to be assured that they can be made — something Trump's tariffs threaten to disrupt.
Tuesday, April 8, 2025 Deadline to apply for membership to guarantee voting eligibility for both rounds of the 77th Emmy competition and to secure member entry fee discount.
—
Marcus Jones,
IndieWire,
6 Mar. 2025
After three straight years of Caitlin Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes dominating the tournament, a new champion is almost guaranteed to emerge.
Share