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as in to ensure
to make sure, certain, or safe a retirement account that will help to secure our future

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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as in to fasten
to put securely in place or in a desired position candidates for admission are asked to secure a recent photo to their application forms

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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secure

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adjective

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word secure distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of secure are assure, ensure, and insure. While all these words mean "to make a thing or person sure," secure implies action taken to guard against attack or loss.

sent reinforcements to secure their position

When can assure be used instead of secure?

The words assure and secure can be used in similar contexts, but assure distinctively implies the removal of doubt and suspense from a person's mind.

I assure you that no harm will be done

How does the word ensure relate to other synonyms for secure?

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 it sensible to use insure instead of secure?

While the synonyms insure and secure are close in meaning, insure sometimes stresses the taking of necessary measures beforehand.

careful planning should insure the success of the party

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 secure
Verb
Roberto Schmidt | Afp | Getty Images SpaceX is one of the nation’s largest federal contractors, securing $3.8 billion over hundreds of government contracts in fiscal year 2024 alone, The New York Times reported. Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 5 June 2025 Each one rests in your outer ear and has a small wing to secure its fit. PC Magazine, 5 June 2025
Adjective
The change addresses long-standing equity concerns within the global Muslim community, where repeat pilgrims from wealthier nations could more easily secure spots than first-time pilgrims from developing countries. Juwayriah Wright, Time, 4 June 2025 Use unique passwords that are hard to guess and let a password manager do the heavy lifting by generating secure ones for you. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 4 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for secure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for secure
Verb
  • The Marines are tasked with protecting federal facilities and personnel, according to a statement from U.S. Northern Command, and will operate under Task Force 51—a contingency unit created to coordinate military support for domestic emergencies.
    Nik Popli, Time, 11 June 2025
  • Although these challenges are external and somewhat unavoidable, business leaders can better protect themselves, starting with ensuring their network connectivity is robust.
    Sander Barens, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
Verb
  • Thinly sliced raw white onion and dill pickles bring the flavors into focus, ensuring nothing feels too heavy.
    Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025
  • Controlling a fire means ensuring that the fire can't spread or cross the containment line.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 9 June 2025
Verb
  • Police said they were securely fastened into their seats and were not injured.
    Abigail Adams, People.com, 6 June 2025
  • The stair treads and risers are fastened to and held firm by stringers, which are analogous to the joists under a floor.
    Tim Carter, Hartford Courant, 24 May 2025
Verb
  • Earlier this week, the Trump administration threatened California with fines and legal action after a 16-year-old transgender athlete AB Hernandez won both the high school girls' high jump and triple jump at a California state track meet, according to CBS News.
    Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 7 June 2025
  • Two Sacramento-area students won a national competition for their answers to that question as part of the build-up to next year’s celebrations of the nation’s 250th anniversary.
    Ethan Wolin, Sacbee.com, 7 June 2025
Adjective
  • But negative feelings are running high across all sectors; the most confident sector in April was construction, and that was down nearly 4 points from January.
    Megan Poinski, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
  • Battled-hardened and confident from winning the Premier League, and on the verge of a ludicrously successful transfer window.
    The Athletic UK Staff, New York Times, 2 June 2025
Adjective
  • Here are recommendations for maintaining safety during a thunderstorm: To minimize risk of being struck by lightning, when going outside, have a plan to get to a safer place.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 7 June 2025
  • However, more research is needed to determine if more than one to two eggs per day is safe.
    Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 6 June 2025
Adjective
  • Embrace tools that highlight alternate components that match form, fit and function, and offer reliable alternatives based on factors like cost, inventory, country of origin and lifecycle status.
    Steve Flagg, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
  • Its toll is seen as generally reliable by U.N. agencies and independent experts, though Israel has challenged its numbers.
    Wafaa Shurafa, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2025
Verb
  • Andrew Cuomo spent $60 million of your money to defend himself in court.
    Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 8 June 2025
  • Alex Caruso, one of the team’s veterans, was a bench guy, until he was tasked with defending Nikola Jokić during the Thunder’s series against the Denver Nuggets, and did about as good a job as anyone has ever done of shutting Jokić down.
    Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 8 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Secure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/secure. Accessed 16 Jun. 2025.

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