SECURE Synonyms: 373 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

secure 1 of 2

verb

Definition of secure

as in to protect

to drive danger or attack away from sent troops to secure the city

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to win

to receive as return for effort finally secured a job after sending out dozens of applications

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

secure

2 of 2

adjective

si-ˈkyu̇r

as in confident

having or showing great faith in oneself or one's abilities he's so secure about winning the marathon that he's practically spent the prize money

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in safe

not exposed to the threat of loss or injury the fortress was thought to be secure against attack

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in protecting

providing safety escaped to a secure location

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in reliable

worthy of one's trust a fund that should provide them with a secure income in their retirement

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

But just as in Vietnam, victory in most major battlefield engagements was not enough to secure the political objectives that the United States sought. — Justin Bronk, Foreign Affairs, 13 Oct. 2026 Fans hoping to attend the show will have lots of opportunities to secure tickets before the general sale. — Alicia Urrea, Billboard, 13 Oct. 2026

Adjective

That’s a significant step forward, but only if the context itself is secure. — Tony Grout, Forbes.com, 6 Oct. 2026 The dollar remains secure in its status as the premier global reserve currency. — Matt Peterson, CNBC, 6 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for secure

Recent Examples of Synonyms for secure

Verb

In yet another battle between the states and social media platforms, Florida asked a state judge to order changes on Instagram and Facebook in an effort to protect young users.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Oct. 2026
Their bid to change their lives turns into a dangerous chase, and the friendship becomes the one thing protecting them.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of protect

Verb

Following the theft on Tuesday, Lanning said that voters should take precautions this election season to ensure that their ballots are received securely.

— Haley Parsley, Sacbee.com, 11 Oct. 2026
MoDOT said that the closure would be necessary to ensure safety of pedestrians and motorists.

— Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of ensure

Verb

Whitney did her own makeup, put on her Nike Cortez sneakers, and fastened an ivory bandana around her head.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2026
That is unwelcome news to Estifanos Dagne and Rahel Estifanos, whose daughter Wongel fell 100 feet to her death in 2021 on the park’s Haunted Mine Drop after workers there failed to notice her seat belt was not fastened.

— Justin Wingerter, Denver Post, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of fasten

Verb

Elephants in the Fog competed in the Un Certain Regard section at the Cannes Film Festival this year, winning the Jury Prize.

— Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026
Award-winning chef Kai Mueller has created a large and unusual menu that leans into the location, with a much healthier twist (all dishes that are safe to have on the detox programme are clearly marked).

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of win

Adjective

Helping someone become confident about protecting herself online can be equally valuable, particularly as more everyday tasks move online and onto apps.

— Ethan Stone October 9, Idaho Statesman, 9 Oct. 2026
The 6-foot-5, 242-pounder has learned the roles and responsibilities at defensive end, middle linebacker, weak side linebacker and strong side linebacker, and the Falcons are confident in his ability to play each at a high level.

— Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of confident

Adjective

Budgets have tightened and commissioners have retreated to the familiar — backing low-cost dramas and safe-bet crime formats.

— Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2026
That means creating small, deliberate spaces where people feel safe enough to say what is actually happening.

— Ryoji Sekido, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of safe

Adjective

Democrats have circled Alaska, a typically reliable Republican state, as a winnable seat in their bid to flip the Senate in the 2026 midterm elections.

— Christian Datoc, The Washington Examiner, 14 Oct. 2026
Both problems threatened the precise control required for reliable quantum experiments.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of reliable

Verb

We grow practiced at defending art by describing its return on investment.

— Philip Martin, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026
Andrés Zamora, Secuoya Studios’ director of global sales and distribution, said such deals underline the role distribution can play in financing projects, while also forcing producers to defend their position.

— Emiliano de Pablos, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of defend

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seculars

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secured

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Style

“Secure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/secure. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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