insure

verb

in-ˈshu̇r How to pronounce insure (audio)
Definition of insurenext
as in to ensure
to make sure, certain, or safe took steps to insure the timely completion of the project

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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 insure Creating jobs, creating a booming economy is always the best way to get people insured. —ABC News, 6 July 2025 The cost of insuring vessels passing through the Red Sea has tripled, threatening to disrupt global trade, the Financial Times reported. —semafor.com, 9 July 2025 But given how new the idea of Airbnb-ing your autonomous vehicle is, those owners may have trouble insuring their would-be moneymakers. —Alan Ohnsman, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025 Rhodes was insured and Amriel’s family secured a settlement. —Laura A. Bischoff, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for insure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insure
  1. ensure
  2. assure
  3. guarantee
Verb
  • These roles ensure her presence remains embedded in the strategic direction of the brand, even as day-to-day editorial oversight transitions to a new generation.
    — Megan Cartwright, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 July 2025
  • To keep a handle on public opinion during a high-profile celebrity trial, lawyers have turned to working alongside PR representatives to ensure an intact career.
    — Lauryn Overhultz , Larry Fink, FOXNews.com, 14 July 2025
Definition of ensure
Verb
  • Stability Of Stablecoins Any stablecoin whose basic function is stability with respect to a single fiat currency can only be assured by holding liquid reserves denominated in that fiat.
    — Vipin Bharathan, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025
  • Columbia also agreed to submit to a federal monitor that will assure compliance with admissions and hiring practices and provide certain information about foreign students to immigration authorities.
    — Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 23 July 2025
Definition of assure
Verb
  • Although named in the court documents, no person or company listed is guaranteed to be called to the witness stand if the case makes it to trial.
    — DeMicia Inman, VIBE.com, 15 July 2025
  • The deal included $90 million guaranteed and a $13.75 million signing bonus, according to the NFL Network.
    — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 15 July 2025
Definition of guarantee

Browse Nearby Words

insurances
insure
insured
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Insure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insure. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on insure

Nglish: Translation of insure for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Using Bullet Points ( • )

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Our Best Historical Slang Terms

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Better Ways to Say 'This Sucks'

8 Words with Fascinating Histories
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Our Best Historical Slang Terms

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All