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

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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 Medicare insures people 65 or older and some who are younger and disabled. — Grace MacKleby, The Conversation, 18 Aug. 2026 If approved by voters, the top-two primary would be repealed and the system would revert to its prior version, insuring every qualified political party could have a candidate advance in the primary to the general election. — Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2026 While that program held Colorado to a 7% decrease in ACA enrollments over last year, keeping roughly 28,000 Coloradans insured, our neighbor Oklahoma experienced a staggering 32% decrease in enrollment this year. — Diana Degette, Denver Post, 16 Aug. 2026 The number of homes insured by FAIR Plan has surged 146% since 2022, according to a legislative analysis. — John Woolfolk, Mercury News, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for insure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insure
  1. ensure
  2. assure
  3. guarantee
Verb
  • Among the changes needed on the city’s streets was the welding of more than 200 manhole covers to ensure the race cars don’t suck them up off the road.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
  • However, Jaworski, who has donated plasma four times, says payment helps to ensure a sustainable supply of the raw material for lifesaving medicines.
    — CNN Staff, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of ensure
Verb
  • While there are not yet dates set, City Council and staff assured that there would be ongoing community input over the next year to ensure residents are involved with the process.
    — Luis Melecio-Zambrano, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Getting to East Lake all but assures a spot in all four majors.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of assure
Verb
  • Echoing his ​previous comments on ⁠the matter, Zelenskyy said a wartime election might be possible if Kyiv’s partners could guarantee security, but that no one ​has proposed such a plan.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 23 Aug. 2026
  • The Los Angeles Rams traded for former Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie and then signed him to a four-year, $124 million extension that includes $100 million guaranteed.
    — Jeff Fedotin, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of guarantee

Browse Nearby Words

insurances
insure
insured
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Cite this Entry

“Insure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insure. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on insure

Nglish: Translation of insure for Spanish Speakers

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